Aesop's Fables (Penguin Classics) - Aesop [24]
Excited and carried away by this thought, the milkmaid could not prevent herself from acting out what she had just imagined in her head, and down came the can of milk and with it all her dreams of happiness vanished in a second!
It is never wise to count your chickens before they hatch.
CXXI
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
After deciding to become partners, an ass and a fox went out into the country to hunt. On the way they met a lion, and realizing the danger ahead, the fox went straight to the lion and whispered, “If you promise not to harm me, I’ll betray the ass, and you’ll easily have him in your power.”
The lion agreed, and the fox managed to lead the ass into a trap. No sooner did the lion capture the ass than he quickly attacked the fox and kept the ass in reserve for his next meal.
Traitors must expect treachery.
CXXII
The Ass and His Driver
An ass that was being driven along the road by his master suddenly left the beaten track and bolted as fast as he could to the edge of a cliff. When he was just at the point of falling over, his master ran up, grabbed him by the tail, and tried to pull him back. But the ass resisted and pulled the opposite way until the man let go and said, “Well, Jack, if you want to be your own master, I can’t help it. A willful beast must go his own way.”
CXXIII
The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
Once upon a time there was a fierce war waged between the birds and the beasts. For a while the outcome of the battle was uncertain, and the bat, taking advantage of his ambiguous nature, kept out of the fray and remained neutral. Finally, when it appeared that the beasts would prevail, the bat joined their side and was active in the battle. The birds rallied successfully, however, and the bat was found among the ranks of the victors at the end of the day. After a peace agreement was speedily concluded, the bat’s conduct was condemned by both parties, and since he was recognized by neither side and thus excluded from the terms of the truce, he was compelled to skulk off as best he could. Ever since then he has lived in dingy holes and corners, never daring to show his face except in the dusk of twilight.
Those who practice deceit must expect to be shunned.
CXXIV
The Hedge and the Vineyard
A foolish young heir, who had just taken possession of his wise father’s estate, had all the hedges surrounding his vineyard torn out because they did not bear any grapes. By tearing down these fences, however, he lay his grounds open to man and beast alike, and all his vines were soon destroyed. So the simple fellow learned too late that he cannot expect to gather grapes from brambles and that it is just as important to protect a vineyard as to possess it.
CXXV
The Frogs Who Desired a King
A long time ago, when the frogs led a free and easy life in the lakes and ponds, they became disgruntled because everyone lived according to his own whim, and chaos reigned. Consequently, they gathered together and petitioned Jupiter to let them have a king who would bring order into their lives and make them more responsible. Knowing how foolish the frogs were, Jupiter smiled at their request and threw a log down into the lake.
“There is your king!” he declared.
This log made such a splash that it terrified the poor frogs, who dived under water and into the mud. No one dared to come within ten leaps of the spot where it lay in stillness. Eventually, one frog, who was bolder than the rest, ventured to pop his head above the water and watch their new king at a respectful distance. When some others soon perceived that the log was lying stock-still, they