Aesop's Fables (Penguin Classics) - Aesop [17]
LXXXIV
The Lion in Love
A long time ago a lion fell in love with a woodcutter’s daughter and demanded to marry her. The woodcutter was not very pleased by this offer and declined the honor of such a dangerous alliance. When the lion showed his royal displeasure and threatened the poor man, however, the woodcutter realized that such a formidable creature was not to be denied, and he eventually hit upon a clever expedient.
“I feel greatly flattered by your proposal,” the woodcutter said. “But, noble sir, what great teeth you have! What great claws you have! Where is a damsel who would not be frightened by such weapons as these? You must have your teeth pulled out and your claws pared before you can be a suitable bridegroom for my daughter.”
The lion submitted to these conditions right away (for what won’t a man do for love?) and then called upon the father to accept him as a son-in-law. But the woodcutter, no longer afraid of the tamed and disarmed bully, grabbed a stout club and drove the foolish suitor from his door.
LXXXV
The Nurse and the Wolf
While roving about in search of food, a wolf passed a door where a child was crying and his nurse was chiding him. As the wolf stood listening, he heard her say, “If you don’t stop crying this instant, I’ll put you outside, and the wolf will get you.”
Thinking the old woman would be as good as her word, the wolf waited quietly outside the house expecting a splendid supper. But when it grew dark, and the child became quiet, he heard the nurse, who was now fondling the child, say, “That’s a good boy. Now if that naughty wolf comes, we’ll beat him to death!”
Disappointed and mortified, the wolf thought it was now high time to be going home. Indeed, hungry as only a wolf can be, he went along muttering to himself, “This comes from listening to people who say one thing and mean another!”
LXXXVI
The Birdcatcher and the Lark
A birdcatcher was setting traps upon a meadow when a lark, who was watching from a distance, asked him what he was doing.
“I’m building a colony,” he said, “and I’m laying the foundations for my first city.”
After he finished his work, the man retreated to a nearby spot and hid himself. Meanwhile, the lark, who had believed everything he had said, flew down to the place, and after swallowing the bait, found himself caught in the noose. Before he knew what was happening, the birdcatcher came and took him prisoner.
“What a nice fellow you are!” the lark exclaimed. “If this is the kind of colony you build, you won’t find many emigrants to settle down in your city.”
LXXXVII
Jupiter and the Bee
A long time ago when the world was young, a bee had stocked her combs with a bountiful harvest and flew up to heaven to make an offering of honey. Jupiter was so delighted with the gift that he promised to give her whatever she desired. In turn, she responded immediately and said, “Oh glorious Jove, my maker and master, poor bee that I am, give your servant a sting so that when anyone approaches my hive to take the honey, I may kill him on the spot.”
Due to his love of man, Jupiter became angry at her request and answered, “Your prayer shall be granted but not the way you wish. Indeed, you shall have your sting, but whenever anyone comes to take your honey and you attack him, the wound shall be fatal not to him but to you, for your life shall go with your sting.”
Whoever wishes harm upon his neighbor will bring a curse upon himself.
LXXXVIII
The Travelers and the Plane Tree
On a hot summer’s day, some travelers, worn out by the heat of the sun, noticed a plane tree and rushed toward it. Once they arrived, they threw themselves down on the ground and rested in the shade of its wide spreading branches. As they were lying there, one of the travelers said to the other, “What a useless tree the plane is. It bears no fruit, and there’s no other way man can put it to use.”
But the plane tree answered them, “Ungrateful creatures! At the very moment you’re benefiting from my existence, you deride me as if I were good