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Animal Symbols: Aesop's Fables
Edited by Kathleen Karlsen, MA
√ Updated
July 2, 2010
Aesop was a slave in ancient Greece (born approximately 620BC). He was given his freedom by his second master as a reward for his learning and wit. Aesop was a master of telling morality tales based on animal characters, often with a humorous twist. His tales reveal our stereotypical views and the symbolic meaning of animals: proud lions, busy bees, industrious ants and more.
More Information About Animal Symbols on This Website
Learn more animal symbolism in our article Find Your Animal Symbol: Traditional Animal Symbols. Or see our article on Chinese Animal Symbols. Also see our articles on Animal Totems, Feng Shui Animals, Animals in Dreams, Celtic Bird Symbols, The Meaning of Unicorns, The Meaning of the Phoenix and The Meaning of Dragons.
Animal-Related Products and Gifts
For more products and gifts related to animals, please visit our pages of animal-related books, animal jewelry charms, animal artwork and animal photos.
General Books About Animal Symbolism
For more information on Aesop's fables and animal symbolism, see these recommended books on Amazon:
The Classic Treasury of Aesop's Fables
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
Medieval Menagerie
See each section below for books related to specific animals.
Androcles and the Lion
 A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled
to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee,
but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and
went up to him.
As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which
was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge
thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled
out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able
to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog.
Then the Lion
took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat
from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the
Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to
the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several
days.
The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle,
and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the
Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring
towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he
recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands
like a friendly dog.
The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned
Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the
slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native
forest.
Moral: Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.
Recommended Amazon Books About Lions
Part of the Pride: My Life Among the Big Cats of Africa
Animal Tracks and Signs: Track Over 400 Animals From Big Cats to Backyard Birds
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
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.
Moral: Appearances can be deceiving.
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 bird catcher 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
bird catcher threw down the twigs, and the noise made the Dove
take wing.
Moral: One good turn deserves another
The Camel
 When man first saw the Camel, he was so frightened at his vast
size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving the meekness and
gentleness of the beast's temper, he summoned courage enough to
approach him. Soon afterwards, observing that he was an animal
altogether deficient in spirit, he assumed such boldness as to
put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him.
Moral: Use overcomes dread
Recommended Amazon Books
I Wonder Why Camels Have Humps: And Other Questions About Animals
Camels (Asian Animals)
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Cat and the Mice
 A certain house was overrun with Mice. A Cat, discovering this,
made her way into it and began to catch and eat them one by one.
Fearing for their lives, the Mice kept themselves close in their
holes.
The Cat was no longer able to get at them and perceived
that she must tempt them forth by some device. For this purpose
she jumped upon a peg, and suspending herself from it, pretended
to be dead.
One of the Mice, peeping stealthily out, saw her and
said, "Ah, my good madam, even though you should turn into a
meal-bag, we will not come near you."
Moral: He who is once deceived is doubly cautious
Recommended Amazon Books
Your Cat: Simple New Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life
The Cat Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice
Four Paws, Five Directions: A Guide to Chinese Medicine for Cats and Dogs
The Natural Cat
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Crow and the Pitcher
 A crow perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to find
water, flew to it with delight. When he reached it, he
discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he
could not possibly get at it. He tried everything he could think
of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last
he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them
one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the
water within his reach and thus saved his life.
Moral: Necessity is the mother of invention
Recommended Amazon Books
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Crow and the Raven
A crow was jealous of the Raven, because he was considered a bird
of good omen and always attracted the attention of men, who noted
by his flight the good or evil course of future events. Seeing
some travelers approaching, the Crow flew up into a tree, and
perching herself on one of the branches, cawed as loudly as she
could. The travelers turned towards the sound and wondered what
it foreboded, when one of them said to his companion, "Let us
proceed on our journey, my friend, for it is only the caw of a
crow, and her cry, you know, is no omen."
Moral: Those who assume a character which does not belong to them, only make themselves ridiculous
Recommended Amazon Books
The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America
National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Eagle and the Arrow
 An Eagle was soaring through the air when suddenly it heard the whiz of an Arrow, and felt itself wounded to death. Slowly it fluttered down to the earth, with its life-blood pouring out of
it. Looking down upon the Arrow with which it had been pierced,it found that the shaft of the Arrow had been feathered with one of its own plumes. "Alas!" it cried, as it died,
Moral: We often give our enemies the means for our own destruction.
Recommended Amazon Books
An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
The Eagle Watchers: Observing and Conserving Raptors Around the World
The Bald Eagle (Welcome Books)
Eyewitness: Eagles & Birds of Prey
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Eagle and the Fox
 An Eagle and a Fox formed an intimate friendship and decided to live near each other. The Eagle built her nest in the branches of a tall tree, while the Fox crept into the under wood and there produced her young. Not long after they had agreed upon this
plan, the Eagle, being in want of provision for her young ones,swooped down while the Fox was out, seized upon one of the little cubs, and feasted herself and her brood.
The Fox on her return,
discovered what had happened, but was less grieved for the death of her young than for her inability to avenge them. A just retribution, however, quickly fell upon the Eagle. While
hovering near an altar, on which some villagers were sacrificing a goat, she suddenly seized a piece of the flesh, and carried it, along with a burning cinder, to her nest.
A strong breeze soon
fanned the spark into a flame, and the eaglets, as yet unfledged and helpless, were roasted in their nest and dropped down dead at the bottom of the tree. There, in the sight of the Eagle, the
Fox gobbled them up.
Moral: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you
Recommended Amazon Books
An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
The Eagle Watchers: Observing and Conserving Raptors Around the World
The Bald Eagle (Welcome Books)
Eyewitness: Eagles & Birds of Prey
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
 An Eagle made her nest at the top of a lofty oak; a Cat, having
found a convenient hole, moved into the middle of the trunk; and
a Wild Sow, with her young, took shelter in a hollow at its foot.
The Cat cunningly resolved to destroy this chance-made colony.
To carry out her design, she climbed to the nest of the Eagle,
and said, "Destruction is preparing for you, and for me too,
unfortunately. The Wild Sow, whom you see daily digging up the
earth, wishes to uproot the oak, so she may on its fall seize our
families as food for her young."
Having thus frightened the Eagle
out of her senses, she crept down to the cave of the Sow, and
said, "Your children are in great danger; for as soon as you go
out with your litter to find food, the Eagle is prepared to
pounce upon one of your little pigs."
Having instilled these
fears into the Sow, she went and pretended to hide herself in the
hollow of the tree. When night came she went forth with silent
foot and obtained food for herself and her kittens, but feigning
to be afraid, she kept a lookout all through the day. Meanwhile,
the Eagle, full of fear of the Sow, sat still on the branches,
and the Sow, terrified by the Eagle, did not dare to go out from
her cave. And thus they both, along with their families,
perished from hunger, and afforded ample provision for the Cat
and her kittens.
Moral: Gossips are to be seen but not heard
Recommended Amazon Books
An Eagle Named Freedom: My True Story of a Remarkable Friendship
The Eagle Watchers: Observing and Conserving Raptors Around the World
The Bald Eagle (Welcome Books)
Eyewitness: Eagles & Birds of Prey
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Fox and the Cat
A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping
its enemies. "I have a whole bag of tricks," he said, "which
contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies."
"I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage
with that." Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of
hounds coming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a
tree and hid herself in the boughs. "This is my plan," said the
Cat. "What are you going to do?"
The Fox thought first of one
way, then of another, and while he was debating the hounds came
nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught
up by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen.
Moral: Better one safe way than a hundred on which
you cannot reckon.
Recommended Amazon Books
Fox (See How They Grow)
Arctic Fox: Life at the Top of the World
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Fox and the Hedgehog
 A Fox swimming across a rapid river was carried by the force of
the current into a very deep ravine, where he lay for a long time
very much bruised, sick, and unable to move. A swarm of hungry
blood-sucking flies settled upon him. A Hedgehog, passing by,
saw his anguish and inquired if he should drive away the flies
that were tormenting him.
"By no means," replied the Fox; "pray
do not molest them."
"How is this?' said the Hedgehog, "do you
not want to be rid of them?"
"No," returned the Fox, "for these
flies which you see are full of blood, and sting me but little,
and if you rid me of these which are already satiated, others
more hungry will come in their place, and will drink up all the
blood I have left."
Moral: A needy thief steals more than one who enjoys plenty
Recommended Amazon Books
Fox (See How They Grow)
Arctic Fox: Life at the Top of the World
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Horse and the Stag
 AT ONE TIME the Horse had the plain entirely to himself. Then a
Stag intruded into his domain and shared his pasture. The Horse,
desiring to revenge himself on the stranger, asked a man if he
were willing to help him in punishing the Stag.
The man replied
that if the Horse would receive a bit in his mouth and agree to
carry him, he would contrive effective weapons against the Stag.
The Horse consented and allowed the man to mount him. From that
hour he found that instead of obtaining revenge on the Stag, he
had enslaved himself to the service of man.
Moral: Liberty is too huge a price to pay for revenge
Recommended Amazon Books
Complete Horse Care Manual
Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual
Horse (DK Eyewitness Books)
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Horse and the Ass
2A Horse and an Ass were traveling together, the Horse
prancing along in its fine trappings, the Ass carrying with
difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers. "I wish I were you,"
sighed the Ass; "nothing to do and well fed, and all that fine
harness upon you."
Next day, however, there was a great battle,
and the Horse was wounded to death in the final charge of the day.
His friend, the Ass, happened to pass by shortly afterwards and
found him on the point of death.
Moral: Better humble security than gilded danger
Recommended Amazon Books
Complete Horse Care Manual
Equine Acupressure: A Working Manual
Horse (DK Eyewitness Books)
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Lamb and the Wolf
 A Wolf pursued a Lamb, which fled for refuge to a certain temple.
The Wolf called out to him and said, "The Priest will slay you in
sacrifice, if he should catch you."
To which the Lamb replied, "It would be better for me to be sacrificed in the temple than to
be eaten by you."
Moral: An honorable death is best
Recommended Amazon Books
Managing Your Ewe and Her Newborn Lambs
Practical Lambing and Lamb Care: A Veterinary Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Lion and the Eagle
An Eagle stayed his flight and entreated a Lion to make an
alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, "I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to
find surety for your good faith, for how can I trust anyone as a
friend who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he
pleases?'
Moral: Try before you trust.
Recommended Amazon Books
Part of the Pride: My Life Among the Big Cats of Africa
Animal Tracks and Signs: Track Over 400 Animals From Big Cats to Backyard Birds
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Lion and the Mouse
A Lion was awakened from sleep by a Mouse running over his
face. Rising up angrily, he caught him and was about to kill
him, when the Mouse piteously entreated, saying: "If you
would only spare my life, I would be sure to repay your
kindness."
The Lion laughed and let him go. It happened
shortly after this that the Lion was caught by some hunters,
who bound him by strong ropes to the ground.
The Mouse,
recognizing his roar, came and gnawed the rope with his teeth
and set him free, exclaiming: "You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,
expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor; now
you know that it is possible for even a Mouse to benefit a Lion."
Moral: No favor, however small, is ever wasted
Recommended Amazon Books
Part of the Pride: My Life Among the Big Cats of Africa
Animal Tracks and Signs: Track Over 400 Animals From Big Cats to Backyard Birds
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Monkey and the Dolphin
 A sailor, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey to amuse
him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast of Greece, a
violent tempest arose in which the ship was wrecked and he, his
Monkey, and all the crew were obliged to swim for their lives.
A
Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with the waves, and supposing
him to be a man (whom he is always said to befriend), came and
placed himself under him, to convey him on his back in safety to
the shore. When the Dolphin arrived with his burden in sight of
land not far from Athens, he asked the Monkey if he were an
Athenian.
The latter replied that he was, and that he was descended from one of the most noble families in that city. The
Dolphin then inquired if he knew the Piraeus (the famous harbor
of Athens). Supposing that a man was meant, the Monkey answered
that he knew him very well and that he was an intimate friend.
The Dolphin, indignant at these falsehoods, dipped the Monkey
under the water and drowned him.
Moral: Those who lie find themselves in deep water
Recommended Amazon Books
A Primate's Memoir: A Neuroscientist's Unconventional Life Among the Baboons
My Life with the Chimpanzees
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Oxen and the Butcher
 The Oxen once upon a time sought to destroy the Butchers, who
practiced a trade destructive to their race. They assembled on a
certain day to carry out their purpose, and sharpened their horns
for the contest. But one of them who was exceedingly old (for
many a field had he plowed) thus spoke: "These Butchers, it is
true, slaughter us, but they do so with skillful hands, and with
no unnecessary pain. If we get rid of them, we shall fall into
the hands of unskillful operators, and thus suffer a double
death: for you may be assured, that though all the Butchers
should perish, yet will men ever want beef."
Moral: Do not be in a hurry to change one evil for another.
Recommended Amazon Books
Oxen: A Teamster's Guide (Story's Working Animals)
Musk Oxen (Animal Prey)
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Peacock and the Crane
 A Peacock spreading its gorgeous tail mocked a Crane that passed
by, ridiculing the ashen hue of its plumage and saying, "I am
robed, like a king, in gold and purple and all the colors of the
rainbow; while you have not a bit of color on your wings."
"True," replied the Crane; "but I soar to the heights of heaven
and lift up my voice to the stars, while you walk below, like a
cock, among the birds of the dunghill."
Moral: Fine feathers don't make fine birds.
Recommended Amazon Books
Living With Peacocks
Peacocks, Penguins & Other Birds (Animal Kingdom Classification)
Peacocks (Early Bird Nature Books)
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Rabbit and the Tortoise
 A Hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the
Tortoise, who replied, laughing: "Though you be swift as the
wind, I will beat you in a race." The Hare, believing her
assertion to be simply impossible, assented to the proposal; and
they agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the
goal.
On the day appointed for the race the two started
together. The Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on
with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course.
The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep. At last
waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he saw the Tortoise
had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her
fatigue.
Moral: Slow but steady wins the race.
Recommended Amazon Books
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Rabbits and the Frogs
 The Rabbits, oppressed by their own exceeding timidity and weary of
the perpetual alarm to which they were exposed, with one accord
determined to put an end to themselves and their troubles by
jumping from a lofty precipice into a deep lake below.
As they
scampered off in large numbers to carry out their resolve, the
Frogs lying on the banks of the lake heard the noise of their
feet and rushed helter-skelter to the deep water for safety.
On
seeing the rapid disappearance of the Frogs, one of the Hares
cried out to his companions: "Stay, my friends, do not do as you
intended; for you now see that there are creatures who are still
more timid than ourselves."
Moral: There are always others worse off then yourself
Recommended Amazon Books
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Rabbit and the Hound
 A Hound started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave
up the chase. A shepherd, seeing him stop, mocked him, saying "The little one is the best runner of the two."
The Hound
replied, "You do not see the difference between us: I was only
running for a dinner, but he for his life."
Moral: Necessity is the strongest weapon
Recommended Amazon Books
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Rabbit With Many Friends
A Rabbit was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed
to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching
and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many friends.
So, she
went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds
on his back. But he declined, stating that he had important work
to do for his master. "He felt sure," he said, "that all her
other friends would come to her assistance."
She then applied to
the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns.
The bull replied: "I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with
a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you
want."
The goat, however, feared that his back might be
harmed if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the
proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him
the case.
The ram replied: "Another time, my dear friend. I do
not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been
known to eat sheep as well as hares."
The Rabbit then applied, as a
last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help
her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself,
as so many older persons than himself had declined the task. By
this time the hounds were quite near, and the Rabbit took to her
heels and barely escaped.
Moral: He that has many friends, has no friends.
Recommended Amazon Books
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Rabbits and the Foxes
The Rabbits waged war with the Eagles, and called upon the Foxes to
help them.
The Foxes replied, "We would willingly have helped you, if
we had not known who you were, and with whom you were fighting."
Moral: Count the cost before you commit yourselves.
Recommended Amazon Books
Barnyard in Your Backyard: A Beginner's Guide
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Snake and the Eagle
An Eagle swooped down upon a Serpent and seized it in his talons
with the intention of carrying it off and devouring it. But the
Serpent was too quick for him and had its coils round him in a moment;
and then there ensued a life-and-death struggle between the two.
A
countryman, who was a witness of the encounter, came to the assistance
of the eagle, and succeeded in freeing him from the Serpent and
enabling him to escape. In revenge, the Serpent spat some of his
poison into the man's drinking-horn.
Heated with his exertions, the
man was about to slake his thirst with a draught from the horn, when
the Eagle knocked it out of his hand, and spilled its contents upon
the ground.
Moral: One good turn deserves another
Recommended Amazon Books
Chinese Astrology: Exploring The Eastern Zodiac
Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
National Geographic Readers: Snakes!
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
 The Serpent and the File
A Serpent in the course of its wanderings came into an
armourer's shop. As he glided over the floor he felt his skin
pricked by a file lying there. In a rage he turned round upon it
and tried to dart his fangs into it; but he could do no harm to
heavy iron and had soon to give over his wrath.
Moral: It is useless attacking the insensible
Recommended Amazon Books
Chinese Astrology: Exploring The Eastern Zodiac
Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
National Geographic Readers: Snakes!
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Tortoise and the Birds
A Tortoise desired to change its place of residence, so he
asked an Eagle to carry him to his new home, promising her a rich
reward for her trouble. The Eagle agreed and seizing the Tortoise
by the shell with her talons soared aloft.
On their way they met
a Crow, who said to the Eagle: "Tortoise is good eating."
"The
shell is too hard," said the Eagle in reply.
"The rocks will soon
crack the shell," was the Crow's answer; and the Eagle, taking the
hint, let fall the Tortoise on a sharp rock, and the two birds
made a hearty meal of the Tortoise.
Moral: Never soar aloft on an enemy's good will
Recommended Amazon Books
Chinese Astrology: Exploring The Eastern Zodiac
Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
The Tortoise and the Eagle
A Tortoise, lazily basking in the sun, complained to the
sea-birds of her hard fate, that no one would teach her to fly.
An Eagle, hovering near, heard her lamentation and demanded what
reward she would give him if he would take her aloft and float
her in the air.
"I will give you," she said, "all the riches of
the Red Sea."
"I will teach you to fly then," said the Eagle; and
taking her up in his talons he carried her almost to the clouds
suddenly he let her go, and she fell on a lofty mountain, dashing
her shell to pieces.
The Tortoise exclaimed in the moment of death: "I have deserved my present fate; for what had I to do
with wings and clouds, who can with difficulty move about on the
earth?'
Moral: If men had all they wished, they would be often ruined
Recommended Amazon Books
Chinese Astrology: Exploring The Eastern Zodiac
Animal Symbolism of the Chinese Zodiac
Animal Life in Nature, Myth and Dreams
Nature and Its Symbols
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Resources
Read more of Aesop's fables at http://aesopfables.com.
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