Aesop’s Fables, part 8 · page 21 2101He appealed to the Ass to fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal lazily replied, “Why should I, pray?102Do you think it likely the conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?”103“No,” rejoined the Shepherd.104“Then,” said the Ass, “as long as I carry the panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?”105In a change of government the poor change nothing beyond the name of their master.106The Fox and the Hedgehog107A FOX swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time very much bruised, sick, and unable to move.108A swarm of hungry blood-sucking flies settled upon him.109A Hedgehog, passing by, saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies that were tormenting him.110“By no means,” replied the Fox; “pray do not molest them.”111“How is this?” said the Hedgehog; “do you not want to be rid of them?”112“No,” returned the Fox, “for these flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little, and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the blood I have left.”113The Woman and Her Hen114A WOMAN possessed a Hen that gave her an egg every day.115She often pondered how she might obtain two eggs daily instead of one, and at last, to gain her purpose, determined to give the Hen a double allowance of barley.116From that day the Hen became fat and sleek, and never once laid another egg.117The Kites and the Swans118TEE KITES of olden times, as well as the Swans, had the privilege of song.119But having heard the neigh of the horse, they were so enchanted with the sound, that they tried to imitate it; and, in trying to neigh, they forgot how to sing.120The desire for imaginary benefits often involves the loss of present blessings.121The Dog and the Hare122A HOUND having started a Hare on the hillside pursued her for some distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he would take her life, and at another fawning upon her, as if in play with another dog.123The Hare said to him, “I wish you would act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors.124If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard?125If an enemy, why do you fawn on me?”126No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him.127The Hares and the Foxes128THE HARES waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to help them.129They replied, “We would willingly have helped you, if we had not known who you were, and with whom you were fighting.”130Count the cost before you commit yourselves.131The Bull and the Calf132A BULL was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through a narrow passage which led to his stall.133A young Calf came up, and offered to go before and show him the way by which he could manage to pass.134“Save yourself the trouble,” said the Bull; “I knew that way long before you were born.”135The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep136A STAG asked a Sheep to lend him a measure of wheat, and said that the Wolf would be his surety.137The Sheep, fearing some fraud was intended, excused herself, saying, “The Wolf is accustomed to seize what he wants and to run off; and you, too, can quickly outstrip me in your rapid flight.138How then shall I be able to find you, when the day of payment comes?”1 2← previousAesop’s Fables, part 7next →Aesop’s Fables, part 9↑ back to Three hundred Aesop’s fablesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/10/page/2/