A singing bird was confined in a cage which hung outside a window, and had a way of singing at night when all other birds were asleep. One night a Bat came and clung to the bars of the cage, and asked the Bird why she was silent by day and sang only at night. “I have a very good reason for doing so,” said the Bird. “It was once when I was singing in the daytime that a fowler was attracted by my voice, and set his nets for me and caught me. Since then I have never sung except by night.” But the Bat replied, “It is no use your doing that now when you are a prisoner: if only you had done so before you were caught, you might still have been free.
Category: Fables
The Plate of Gold
One day a wonderful plate made of gold fell from Heaven into the court of a temple at Benares. On the plate were inscribed these words “ A gift from Heaven to him who loves the best.” The priests at once made the proclamation that every day at twelve o’ clock, all who would like to claim the plate should assemble at the temple, to have their kind deeds judged.
Every day for the whole year all kinds of holy men, hermits, scholars and nobles came, and related to the priests there deeds of charity, and the priests heard their claims. At last they decided that the one who seemed to be the greatest lover of mankind was a rich man who had that very year had given all his wealth to the poor. So they gave him the plate of gold. But when he took it his hand, it turned into lead. On seeing this he dropped it on the floor and to every ones surprise it turned into gold again.
Many more people came, who were awarded the plate by the priest on their claiming that they were the lover of mankind but the same thing happened. This meant that the Heaven didn’t consider them worthy of the gift. Meanwhile many beggars came to the temple hoping that the people coming to the temple to claim the plate would give them alms to prove that they are worthy of the golden plate.
At last one day a peasant, who had heard nothing about the plate of gold came there. He was so touched by the miserable sight of the beggars that he wept for them. He saw a poor, blind person at the temple gate, he knelt and helped him. He comforted him with his kind words. When he reached the temple, he was shocked to see men boasting of their deeds and quarrelling with the priest. One priest, who was holding the plate, seeing the peasant standing there, beckoned to him. The peasant came and knowing nothing about the plate took it in his hand. At once it shone out with three times its former splendor, and the priest said: “ Son, the gift is yours: for you love the best.”
The Bull and the Calf
A Bull was striving with all his might to squeeze himself through a narrow passage which led to his stall. A young Calf came up, and offered to go before and show him the way by which he could manage to pass. “Save yourself the trouble,” said the Bull; “I knew that way long before you were born.”
The Mice and the Council
Long ago the mice held a council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy., the cat. Many plans were discussed and rejected when, at last , a young mouse stood up and said, “I think I have a plan that will ensure our safety. You will all agree that the chief danger is the sly, quiet manner in which the cat approaches us. I therefore propose that a small bell be attached around the cat’s neck. This way we will always know when the cat is approaching.” This plan was warmly applauded, until a wise old mouse stood up and said, “I agree with everyone that the plan is very clever, but who is going to put the bell on the cat?
Moral: It is easy to propose the impossible solutions.
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 Marriage of the Sun
On very warm summer, the animals learned that the sun was going to get married. All the birds and the beasts were delighted to hear the news. The frogs, more that anyone else, were determined to celebrate the occasion with a festival of singing and dancing. But a wise old frog put a stop to the festivities by pointing out that it was an occasion for sorrow, rather than for joy. “If the sun dries up our beloved marshes now, ” said the frog, “what will happen when he has children?”
Moral: It is possible to have too much of a good thing.
The Bear and the Fox
A Bear boasted very much of his philanthropy, saying that of all animals he was the most tender in his regard for man, for he had such respect for him that he would not even touch his dead body. A Fox hearing these words said with a smile to the Bear, “Oh! that you would eat the dead and not the living.”
The Lion and the Mouse
A mighty Lion was sleeping in his lair when he was awakened by a tiny Mouse running across his body. The Lion grabbed the frightened creature with his huge paws and opened his mouth to swallow him. “Please, O King,” cried the Mouse, “spare me this time and I shall never forget your kindness. Someday I may be able to repay you.” The Lion was so amused by this idea that he let the poor creature go.
Sometime later the Lion was caught in a net laid by some clever hunters. Despite his great strength, the Lion could not break free. Soon the forest echoed with angry roars.
The little Mouse heard the Lion and ran to see what was wrong. As soon as he saw Lion, he began to gnaw away the ropes, and before long he set the Lion free. “There!” said the Mouse proudly, “You laughed at me when I promised to repay your kindness, but now you know that even a tiny Mouse can help a mighty Lion.”
Moral: Little friends may prove to be great friends.
The Bat Bird and Beast
A great conflict was about to come off between the Birds and the Beasts. When the two armies were collected together the Bat hesitated which to join. The Birds that passed his perch said: “Come with us”; but he said: “I am a Beast.” Later on, some Beasts who were passing underneath him looked up and said: “Come with us”; but he said: “I am a Bird.” Luckily at the last moment peace was made, and no battle took place, so the Bat came to the Birds and wished to join in the rejoicing, but they all turned against him and he had to fly away. He then went to the Beasts, but soon had to beat a retreat, or else they would have torn him to pieces. “Ah,” said the Bat, “I see now, “He that is neither one thing nor the other has no friends.”
The Hare and the Tortoise
One day a quick footed Hare was making fun of a slow moving Tortoise. Much to Hare’s surprise, the Tortoise began to laugh. “I challenge you to a race” said the Tortoise, ” and I bet that I will win.” “Very well,” said the hare, “I will dance dings around you all the way.” It was soon agreed that the fox would set the course and be the judge. The race began and the Hare ran so quickly that he soon left the Tortoise for behind. Once he reached the middle of the course, the Hare decided to take a nap. While the hare slept, the Tortoise plodded on and on, straight toward the finish line. When the Hare awoke from his nap, he was surprised that the Tortoise was nowhere in sight. Racing to the finish line as fast as he could, the Hare was shocked to find the Tortoise waiting for him with a smile on his face.
Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.