So, you will see here just the limerick version of each fable, along with the illustration. Sometimes the limerick versions of the fables are so abbreviated that they can be hard to understand, so if you are curious about a given fable and want to read a version of the fable in prose, I have provided a link for each fable.
[Notes by LKG]
These fables are part of the Aesop's Fables (Jacobs) unit. Story sources: The limericks and illustrations are from The Baby's Own Aesop by W. J. Linton and illustrated by Walter Crane (1887).
More Fables (not in Jacobs)
Crane 6. The Frightened Lion (Perry 141; prose version)
A Bull-Frog, according to rule,
Sat a-croak in his usual pool:
And he laughed in his heart
As a Lion did start,
In a fright from the brink like a ghoul.
IMAGINARY FEARS ARE THE WORST
~ ~ ~
Two Maids killed the Rooster whose warning
Awoke them too soon every morning:
But small were their gains,
For their Mistress took pains
To rouse them herself without warning.
LAZINESS IS ITS OWN PUNISHMENT
~ ~ ~
"Get up! let us flee from the Foe,"
Said the Man, but the Ass said, "Why so?
Will they double my load,
Or my blows? Then, by goad
And by stirrup, I've no cause to go."
YOUR REASONS ARE NOT MINE
~ ~ ~
Crane 24. The Fir and The Bramble (Perry 304; prose version)
The Fir-tree looked down on the Bramble.
"Poor thing only able to scramble
About on the ground."
Just then an axe' sound
Made the Fir wish himself but a Bramble.
PRIDE OF PLACE HAS ITS DISADVANTAGES
~ ~ ~
The Hart by the hunters pursued,
Safely hid in a Vine till he chewed
The sweet tender green,
And, through shaking leaves seen,
He was slain by his ingratitude.
SPARE YOUR BENEFACTORS
~ ~ ~
In the house, in the market, the streets,
Everywhere he was boasting his feats;
Till one said, with a sneer,
"Let us see it done here!
What's so oft done with ease, one repeats."
DEEDS NOT WORDS
~ ~ ~
Twin children: the Girl, she was plain;
The Brother was handsome and vain.
"Let him brag of his looks,"
Father said. "Mind your books!
The best beauty is bred in the brain."
HANDSOME IS AS HANDSOME DOES
~ ~ ~
The Eagle flew off with a lamb;
Then the Crow thought to lift an old ram.
In his eaglish conceit,
The wool tangled his feet,
And the shepherd laid hold of the sham.
BEWARE OF OVERRATING YOUR OWN POWERS
~ ~ ~
The Geese joined the Cranes in some wheat;
All was well, till, disturbed at their treat,
Light-winted, the Cranes fled,
But the slow Geese, well fed,
Couldn't rise and were caught in retreat.
BEWARE OF ENTERPRIZES WHERE THE RISKS ARE NOT EQUAL
~ ~ ~
From the hounds the swift Deer sped away
To his cave, where in past times he lay
Well concealed, unaware
Of a Lion couched there,
For a spring that soon made him his prey.
FATE CAN MEET AS WELL AS FOLLOW
~ ~ ~
The Hen roosted high on her perch;
Hungry Fox down below, on the search,
Coaxed her hard to descend.
She replied, "Most dear friend!
I feel more secure on my perch."
BEWARE OF INTERESTED FRIENDSHIPS
~ ~ ~
Going shares with the Snakes, Porcupine
Said: "The best of the bargain is mine."
Nor would he back down,
When the snakes would disown
The agreement his quills made them sign.
HASTY PARTNERSHIPS MAY BE REPENTED OF
Crane 56. The Bear and The Bees (not in Perry; prose version)
"Their honey I'll have when I please;
Who cares for such small things as Bees?"
Said the Bear, but the stings
Of these very small things
Left him not very much at his ease.
THE WEAKEST UNITED MAY BE STRONG TO AVENGE
~ ~ ~
"Dig deeply, my Sons, through this field!
There's a Treasure." He died, unrevealed
The spot where 'twas laid.
They dug as he bade,
And the Treasure was found in the yield.
PRODUCTIVE LABOUR IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF WEALTH
~ ~ ~
The Ass gave a horrible bray;
Cock crowed; Lion scampered away.
Ass judged he was scared
By the bray, and so dared
To pursue; Lion ate him they say.
DON'T TAKE ALL THE CREDIT TO YOURSELF
~ ~ ~
A Boy heedless slept by the well
By Dame Fortune awaked, truth to tell.
Said she, "Hadst been drowned,
'Twould have surely been found
This by Fortune, not Folly befell."
FORTUNE IS NOT ANSWERABLE FOR OUR WANT OF FORESIGHT
~ ~ ~
A kid vowed to Jove so might he
Find his herd, and his herd he did see
Soon, of lions the prey:
Then 'twas "Get me away,
And a goat of the best take for free."
HOW OFTEN WOULD WE MEND OUR WISHES
Crane 65. The Horse and The Ass (Perry 181; prose version)
Overladen the Ass was. The Horse
Wouldn't help, but had time for remorse
When the Ass lay dead there,
For he then had to bear
Both the load of the Ass and his corpse.
GRUDGE NOT HELP
(800 words)
