The Wolf and the Crane

A feeding wolf got a small bone stuck in his throat and, in terrible pain, begged the other animals for help, promising a reward.

At last the Crane agreed to try and, putting its long bill down the Wolf’s throat, loosened the bone and took it out.

But when the Crane asked for his reward, the Wolf replied, “You have put your head inside a wolf’s mouth and taken it out again in safety; that ought to be reward enough for you.”

Lesson: “You can’t make a good deal with a bad person.”

The Fox and the Bramble

A Fox was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught hold of a Bramble to save himself.

Having pricked and grievously tom the soles of his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself.

The Bramble, interrupting him, said, “But you really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others.”

Moral:
To the selfish all are selfish.

The Fisherman and his nets

A Fisherman, engaged in his calling, made a very successful cast and captured a great haul of fish.

He managed by a skillful handling of his net to retain all the large fish and to draw them to the shore; but he could not prevent the smaller fish from falling back through the meshes of the net into the sea.

Moral:
Be careful for small things especially if you are working on big projects.

The Dog and the Cook

A Rich man gave a great feast, to which he invited many friends and acquaintances.

His Dog availed himself of the occasion to invite a stranger Dog, a friend of his, saying, “My master gives a feast, and there is always much food remaining; come and sup with me tonight.”

The Dog thus invited went at the hour appointed, and seeing the preparations for so grand an entertainment, said in the joy of his heart, “How glad I am that I came! I do not often get such a chance as this. I will take care and eat enough to last me both today and tomorrow.”

While he was congratulating himself and wagging his tail to convey his pleasure to his friend, the Cook saw him moving about among his dishes and, seizing him by his fore and hind paws, bundled him without ceremony out of the window.

He fell with force upon the ground and limped away, howling dreadfully. His yelling soon attracted other street dogs, who came up to him and inquired how he had enjoyed his supper.

He replied, “Why, to tell you the truth, I drank so much wine that I remember nothing. I do not know how I got out of the house.”

Moral:
Those who enter by the back stairs may expect to be shown out at the window.

The Doe and the Lion

A Doe hard pressed by hunters sought refuge in a cave belonging to a Lion.

The Lion concealed himself on seeing her approach, but when she was safe within the cave, sprang upon her and tore her to pieces.

“Woe is me,” exclaimed the Doe, “who have escaped from man, only to throw myself into the mouth of a wild beast?”

Moral:
In avoiding one evil, care must be taken not to fall into another.

The Dancing Monkeys

A Prince had some Monkeys trained to dance.

Being naturally great mimics of men’s actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils, and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers.

The spectacle was often repeated with great applause, till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts and threw them upon the stage.

The Monkeys at the sight of the nuts forgot their dancing and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys instead of actors. Pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts.

The dancing spectacle thus came to an end amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.

Moral:
Not everything you see is what it appears to be.