The Fox and the Grapes
A hungry fox fails to reach ripe grapes and calls them sour rather than admit his disappointment.
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Gutenberg Fables
Public-domain fables and short tales from Project Gutenberg.
The Ant and the Grasshopper
A grasshopper sings through summer while an ant stores food, then learns in winter that pleasure needs preparation.
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The Lion and the Mouse
A mighty lion spares a little mouse and later learns that even the smallest friend may give great help.
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The Wolf and the Lamb
A hungry wolf invents accusations against a lamb, showing how injustice often seeks excuses after it has chosen its victim.
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The Ass and the Grasshopper
An ass envies the grasshoppers’ song and copies their diet, only to learn that each creature has its own nature.
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The Wolf and the Crane
A crane risks her neck to help a choking wolf, only to learn how little a wicked promise may be worth.
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The Father and His Sons
A father uses a bundle of sticks to show his quarrelsome sons that unity gives strength.
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The Bat and the Weasels
A bat escapes two weasels by understanding what each enemy hates and answering with quick wit.
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The Cock and the Jewel
A cock finds a precious jewel while searching for food, yet he values a grain of barley more than glitter.
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The Swallow and the Crow
A swallow and a crow dispute over their feathers, until the crow reminds her that winter tests usefulness.
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The Kingdom of the Lion
A lion proclaims peace among all creatures, yet the hare runs away, showing that promises must be trusted before they can comfort the weak.
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The Traveler and His Dog
A traveler blames his dog for delaying the journey, but the dog is already waiting for him.
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The Ants and the Grasshopper
A whole colony of ants prepares for winter together, showing a grasshopper the strength of shared work.
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The Hare and the Tortoise
A swift hare mocks a slow tortoise, but steady effort wins when pride falls asleep.
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The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller
A charcoal-burner asks a fuller to live with him, but the fuller sees that their trades would spoil each other.
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The Boy Hunting Locusts
A boy hunting locusts nearly grasps a scorpion and learns that quick hands need careful eyes.
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The Fisherman Piping
A fisherman tries to charm fish into his net with music, then learns that action succeeds where wishing fails.
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The Dog and the Shadow
A dog carrying meat mistakes his own reflection for another dog and loses what he truly has by grasping at a shadow.
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Hercules and the Wagoner
A wagoner calls upon Hercules when his cart is stuck, but the hero teaches him to put his own shoulder to the wheel first.
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The Mole and His Mother
A young mole insists that he can see, until his mother’s simple test shows the danger of boastful certainty.
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The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
A herdsman vows a reward to find the thief of his calf, then discovers a lion and wishes only to escape.
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The Fawn and His Mother
A young fawn wonders why his strong mother fears hounds, and she admits that reason alone does not always create courage.
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