Aesop's Fables

The book begins by defining the term fable, and comparing it to other types of stories.

Tale: narration of a story based either on facts or total imagination, and without any moral purpose.

Parable: The designed use of language purposely intended to convey a hidden and secret meaning other than that which is contained in the words themselves.

Fable: Contains a short narrative; it attempts to convey a hidden meaning through the use of fictitious characters and seeks to inculcate some moral maxim, social duty, or political truth. It's aim is to improve human conduct. This is done via interaction with animals, plants, etc, but without the use of a specific counselor who is doing the main talking. In other words, it's learning how to behave by paying attention to examples of that behavior in others, even if they are not necessarily human.

When animals are used, the known traits of the animals must be paid attention to; for example, the Fox is sly, the rabbit timid and the wolf is cruel.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the fables are truly ancient; they were not all written by Aesop, either. The first collection of the fables was done in around 300 B.C. E.

The Wolf and the Lamb

The Bat and the Weasels

The Ass and the Grasshopper

The Lion and the Mouse

The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller

Some of the lessons taught include:

In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.

Fine feathers don't make fine birds.

Necessity is the mother of invention.

Acquaintance softens prejudices.

A man is known by the company he keeps.

There is also a short biography of Aesop.

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