Fables the Ant and the Chrysalis, Детальна інформація

Fables

The Ant and the Chrysalis

An Ant nimbly running about in the sunshine in search of food came across a Chrysalis that was very near its time of change. The Chrysalis moved its tail, and thus attracted the attention of the Ant, who then saw for the first time that it was alive. “Poor, pitiable animal!” cried the Ant disdainfully. “What a sad fate is yours!  While I can run hither and thither, at my pleasure, and, if I wish, ascend the tallest tree, you lie imprisoned here in your shell, with power only to move a joint or two of your scaly tail.” The Chrysalis heard all this, but did not try to make any reply. A few days after, when the Ant passed that way again, nothing but the shell remained. Wondering what had become of its contents, he felt himself suddenly shaded and fanned by the gorgeous wings of a beautiful Butterfly. “Behold in me,” said the Butterfly, “your much-pitied friend! Boast now of your powers to run and climb as long as you can get me to listen.” So saying, the Butterfly rose in the air, and, borne along and aloft on the summer breeze, was soon lost to the sight of the Ant forever.

“Appearances are deceptive.”

The Ant and the Dove

AN ANT went to the bank of a river to quench its thirst, and  being carried away by the rush of the stream, was on the point of  drowning.  A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water plucked  a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to her.  The Ant  climbed onto it and floated in safety to the bank.  Shortly  afterwards a birdcatcher came and stood under the tree, and laid  his lime-twigs for the Dove, which sat in the branches.  The Ant,  perceiving his design, stung him in the foot.  In pain the  birdcatcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove  take wing.

“One good turn deserves another”

The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

An Ass once found a Lion’s skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry.  He put it on and went towards his native village.  All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Ass that day.  In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgeling for the fright he had caused.  And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: “Ah, I knew you by your voice.”

“Fine clothes may disguise, but silly words will disclose a fool.”

The Bald Man and the Fly

A FLY bit the bare head of a Bald Man who, endeavoring to destroy  it, gave himself a heavy slap.  Escaping, the Fly said mockingly,  “You who have wished to revenge, even with death, the Prick of a  tiny insect, see what you have done to yourself to add insult to  injury?’  The Bald Man replied, “I can easily make peace with  myself, because I know there was no intention to hurt.  But you,  an ill-favored and contemptible insect who delights in sucking  human blood, I wish that I could have killed you even if I had  incurred a heavier penalty.”

“Revenge will hurt the avenger”

The Bear and the Two Travelers

TWO MEN were traveling together, when a Bear suddenly met them on  their path.  One of them climbed up quickly into a tree and  concealed himself in the branches.  The other, seeing that he  must be attacked, fell flat on the ground, and when the Bear came  up and felt him with his snout, and smelt him all over, he held  his breath, and feigned the appearance of death as much as he  could.  The Bear soon left him, for it is said he will not touch  a dead body.  When he was quite gone, the other Traveler  descended from the tree, and jocularly inquired of his friend  what it was the Bear had whispered in his ear.  “He gave me this  advice,” his companion replied.  “Never travel with a friend who  deserts you at the approach of danger.” 

“Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends.”

The Bee and Jupiter

A BEE from Mount Hymettus, the queen of the hive, ascended to  Olympus to present Jupiter some honey fresh from her combs.   Jupiter, delighted with the offering of honey, promised to give  whatever she should ask.  She therefore besought him, saying,  “Give me, I pray thee, a sting, that if any mortal shall approach  to take my honey, I may kill him.”  Jupiter was much displeased,  for he loved the race of man, but could not refuse the request  because of his promise.  He thus answered the Bee:  “You shall  have your request, but it will be at the peril of your own life.   For if you use your sting, it shall remain in the wound you make,  and then you will die from the loss of it.” 

“Evil wishes, like chickens, come home to roost.”

The Boys and the Frogs

SOME BOYS, playing near a pond, saw a number of Frogs in the  water and began to pelt them with stones.  They killed several of  them, when one of the Frogs, lifting his head out of the water,  cried out:  “Pray stop, my boys:  what is sport to you, is death to  us.”

“One man’s pleasure may be another’s pain.”-

The Cat and Venus

A CAT fell in love with a handsome young man, and entreated Venus  to change her into the form of a woman.  Venus consented to her  request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the  youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride.   While the two were reclining in their chamber, Venus wishing to  discover if the Cat in her change of shape had also altered her  habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room.  The  Cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the  couch and pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it.  Venus was much  disappointed and again caused her to return to her former shape.

“Nature exceeds nurture.”

The Dog and the Hare

A 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.  The Hare said to him, “I wish you would  act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors.  If  you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do  you fawn on me?’ 

“No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him.”

The Dog and the Wolf

A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to  meet a House-dog who was passing by.  “Ah, Cousin,” said the Dog.   “I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin  of you.  Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food  regularly given to you?” “I would have no objection,” said the Wolf, “if I could only  get a place.” “I will easily arrange that for you,” said the Dog; “come with  me to my master and you shall share my work.” So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together.  On  the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of  the Dog’s neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that  had come about. “Oh, it is nothing,” said the Dog.  “That is only the place  where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it  chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it.” “Is that all?” said the Wolf.  “Then good-bye to you, Master  Dog.”