Aesop’s Fables, part 5 · page 21 2101The generals, not being able to get in on account of the ornaments on their heads, were all captured and eaten by the Weasels.102The more honour the more danger.checked by a teacher103The Shepherd and the Sea104A SHEPHERD, keeping watch over his sheep near the shore, saw the Sea very calm and smooth, and longed to make a voyage with a view to commerce.105He sold all his flock, invested it in a cargo of dates, and set sail.106But a very great tempest came on, and the ship being in danger of sinking, he threw all his merchandise overboard, and barely escaped with his life in the empty ship.107Not long afterwards when someone passed by and observed the unruffled calm of the Sea, he interrupted him and said, “It is again in want of dates, and therefore looks quiet.”108The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion109AN ASS and a Cock were in a straw-yard together when a Lion, desperate from hunger, approached the spot.110He was about to spring upon the Ass, when the Cock (to the sound of whose voice the Lion, it is said, has a singular aversion) crowed loudly, and the Lion fled away as fast as he could.111The Ass, observing his trepidation at the mere crowing of a Cock summoned courage to attack him, and galloped after him for that purpose.112He had run no long distance, when the Lion, turning about, seized him and tore him to pieces.113False confidence often leads into danger.114The Rivers and the Sea115THE RIVERS joined together to complain to the Sea, saying, “Why is it that when we flow into your tides so potable and sweet, you work in us such a change, and make us salty and unfit to drink?”116The Sea, perceiving that they intended to throw the blame on him, said, “Pray cease to flow into me, and then you will not be made briny.”117The Wild Boar and the Fox118A WILD BOAR stood under a tree and rubbed his tusks against the trunk.119A Fox passing by asked him why he thus sharpened his teeth when there was no danger threatening from either huntsman or hound.120He replied, “I do it advisedly; for it would never do to have to sharpen my weapons just at the time I ought to be using them.”121To be well prepared for war is the best guarantee of peace.122The Milk-Woman and Her Pail123A FARMER’S daughter was carrying her Pail of milk from the field to the farmhouse, when she fell a-musing.124“The money for which this milk will be sold, will buy at least three hundred eggs.125The eggs, allowing for all mishaps, will produce two hundred and fifty chickens.126The chickens will become ready for the market when poultry will fetch the highest price, so that by the end of the year I shall have money enough from my share to buy a new gown.127In this dress I will go to the Christmas parties, where all the young fellows will propose to me, but I will toss my head and refuse them every one.”128At this moment she tossed her head in unison with her thoughts, when down fell the milk pail to the ground, and all her imaginary schemes perished in a moment.1 2← previousAesop’s Fables, part 4next →Aesop’s Fables, part 6↑ back to Three hundred Aesop’s fablesThis page in Markdown → https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/7/page/2/