Fables of Aesop by Charles H. Bennett

Fables of Aesop and others, translated into human nature by Charles H. Bennett, published in 1857. You can use this link to browse posts from this book, and you will find the table of contents below; each fable in the book has its own post at this blog.

online source: International Children's Digital Library 

online source: Internet Archive

I also found an 1875 colored edition at Hathi Trust.

Here's a random image from the book:

Table of Contents:

01. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB - plus a colored version

02. THE FROG AND THE OX - plus a colored version

03. THE ASS IN A LION'S SKIN - plus a colored version

04. THE LOBSTER AND HIS MOTHER - plus a colored version

05. THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS - plus a colored version

06. THE APE AND HER YOUNG ONES - plus a colored version

07. THE DAW IN BORROWED PLUMES - plus a colored version

08. THE LION AND THE GNAT - plus a colored version

09. THE FOX AND THE CROW - plus a colored version

10. THE FOX THAT WAS DOCKED - plus a colored version

11. THE DOG AND THE SHADOW - plus a colored version

12. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES - plus a colored version

13. THE MOLE AND HER SON - plus a colored version

14. THE CAT'S PAW - plus a colored version

15. THE TREACHEROUS CUR - plus a colored version

16. THE DOG AND THE WOLF - plus a colored version

17. THE DOG IN THE MANGER - plus a colored version

18. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE - plus a colored version

19. THE FOX AND THE CROCODILE - plus a colored version

20. THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER - plus a colored version

21. THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING - plus a colored version

22. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE - plus a colored version

Here's a random fable from the colored version:

The Wolf and the Crane

22. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE. A ragged-haired, sharp-fanged Wolf, having, through overgorging himself with honest men's property, brought on an uneasy sensation about his throat, which threatened to be fatal, applied to a clever Crane of the long-billed species to help him through his trouble, upon condition of a very considerable reward for the practitioner's pains. The Crane, by skilfully removing certain perilous obstructive matters, brought the Wolf's throat out of danger, and then claimed the fulfilment of his client's promise.
"What!" said the knavish brute. "Have I not let you go without even the mark of my gripe round your own throttle? Be thankful that I have not mangled your lean carcase for you, stripped your head of its knowing wig, and your back of its glossy rustling robe. Expect no greater recompense for saving the life of a Wolf."
MORAL. Abstention from harm is a Rascal's magnanimity. [more info]

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

21. THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING. There is a story of a greedy Wolf, who, having deceptively wrapped himself in woollen clothing in sign of his belonging to the peaceful flock, was, for a long while, permitted to prowl about certain homesteads, where, his real nature not being suspected, he caused most unaccountable decreases in the family store of mutton.
But being in the end discovered by the Shepherd (who was named Inspector), he was, by that watchful guardian of the public pastures, ignominiously stripped and flogged, howling, to the wilderness.
"Why whip you the animal?" asked the neighbours. "Was he not faithful?"
"Faithful!" cried the Shepherd, laying on in wrath. "I took him for an honest watch-dog, and lo! I find him in Sheep's clothing, making sheep's eyes at a foolish ewe, whom he would have eaten out of house and home to satisfy his wolfish cravings, had she not given him her Master's lamb for supper."
MORAL. Beware how you Invite a man to dinner on the strength of his outside recommendations. His inside capabilities may astonish you. [more info]

The Ant and the Grasshopper

20. THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER. As a rich purse-proud Ant was airing himself at the foot of an old oak tree, beneath the roots of which lay his vast bonded warehouses of Corn, up came a poor starveling Grasshopper to solicit a grain of barley. The selfish Ant told him he should have laboured in Summer if he would not have wanted in Winter.
"But," said the poor Chirper, "I was not idle: I sung out the whole season. I did my best to amuse you and your fellow-husbandmen while you were getting in your harvest."
"If that is the case," returned the Ant with unpardonable callousness, "you may make a merry year of it, and dance in Winter to the tune you sang in Summer."
MORAL. As the world dispenses its payments, it is decreed that the Poet who sings for his breakfast shall whistle for his dinner. [more info]

The Fox and the Crocodile

19. THE FOX AND THE CROCODILE. There happened to be an argument once between a quiet cynic of a Fox and a conceited vulgar Crocodile upon the point of Blood and Extraction; the Crocodile boasted of his descent and the renown of his Ancestors.
"Our family," said he, "is of the greatest antiquity. We were princes in Egypt before the foundation of the Pyramids."
"Friend," said the Fox, smiling, and pointing with his claw to certain dabs of mud resting between the coarse excrescences of the speaker's hide, "there will need no herald to prove your gentility, for you carry the marks of your origin on your very skin."
MORAL. No difgrace can arife from a humble origin but the tolly of denying it. [more info]

The Hare and the Tortoise

18. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. "What a dull, heavy creature," said a bright-eyed, nimble-footed Hare, "is this same plodding Tortoise! He trudges along in the mud, neither looking to the right nor to the left, only caring to nibble such of the dryest grass and the dirtiest roots as come in his way, and making no more progress in a day's march than I can accomplish in two or three careless bounds!"
"And yet," said the Tortoise (in whose hearing the speech had been made for his humiliation), "although I have neither your lightness of foot, nor the compact and powerful symmetry of your haunches, I will undertake to run you for a wager."
"Agreed," said the Hare, contemptuously. So a goal was named, and away they started together. The Tortoise kept jogging along at his usual rate, and was soon left behind and out of sight by the Hare, who, tired of running alone in a given direction, fell to browsing on choice plants, and then went off to a game of play with certain of his sportive companions, finally making up his form for a snug nap among some tempting long autumn grass: "For," said he, "with my great natural gift of swiftness, I can fetch up Old Humdrum Master Tortoise whenever I please."
But he overslept himself, it seems. For when he came to wake, it was already dark, the weather had changed, and the fields were heavy with clay; and though he scudded away as fast as the ground would let him, he was fain to drop at last half dead with cold and fatigue in sight of the winning-post, which the Tortoise had reached comfortably before him, — thereby winning the wager.
MORAL. Genius that may outrun the Constable, cannot overtake Time lost. [more info]

The Dog in the Manger

17. THE DOG IN THE MANGER. A churlish, pampered Cur, who had a comfortable place in a gentleman's well-filled Manger, would from thence snap and snarl to frighten off all poor beasts of draught and burden who passed that way — driven by the hardness of the time of year to beg for provender they could not earn by labour in the fields. This Dog wanted for nothing himself, and yet took an ill-natured pleasure in keeping poor famishing creatures from many a meal, which, but for his officious yelping, they might have enjoyed from his Master's bounty.
MORAL. There would be sunshine in many a poor man's house, but for officious, go-between window-shutters. [more info]

The Dog and the Wolf

16. THE DOG AND THE WOLF. There was a gaunt, ragged, gipsy of a Wolf who fell into company with a sleek jolly Dog belonging to the spaniel tribe, on the King's highway. The Wolf was wonderfully pleased with his companion, and was inquisitive to learn how he had brought himself to that commendable state of body.
"Why," said the Dog, "I keep my Master's house, and I have the best of meat, drink, and lodging for my pains; indeed, if you'll go along with me, and do as I do, you may fare as I fare."
The Wolf readily agreed, and so away they trotted together; but as they approached the house the Wolf caught sight of the Dog's curiously embroidered collar, from which a kind of gold chain hung down over the shoulder. "Brother," said he, "what is this I see?"
"Oh, that's nothing," says the Spaniel; "a mere social Badge to let the world know whose Dog I am."
"Indeed!" says the other. "If those be the conditions, good bye. Bare bones and independence, rather than cold chicken with a chain and dog-collar."
MORAL. To the independent spirit, gold fetters are as galling as iron ones. [more info]

The Treacherous Cur

15. THE TREACHEROUS CUR. A certaom Merchant had a Dog called "Clerk," in whom he placed a particular confidence. He fed the creature from his own table, and, in short, took more care of him than of any of his fellows. This kindness, however, was but ill repaid; for, one day, no sooner was the Merchant's back turned, than the rascally hound flew to the safe, tore it open, and helped himself to all the choice bits that his benefactor, with much care, had scraped together for the sustenance of his own children. But, fortunately, his Master returned in time to detect him in the act, and bade him prepare for punishment.
"Master," said the Cur, in excuse, "bethink you, I am one of your family. I am a Dog who has hitherto borne a good name. Punish me not for this first offence; rather turn your displeasure upon those rascals the Wolves, who make a daily practice of plunder."
"No! No!" replies his Master. "I would rather spare forty Wolves, who rob through want or evil-training, than a Dog like you, who is faithless to trust and insensible to kindness."
So the Dog was bound and carried out of the house, and consigned to the mercy of deep water, with a heavy chain attached to him to keep him from finding his way back again.
MORAL. In the country of Traitors the mere Thief is chosen as king, on account of his superior honesty. [more info]

The Cat's Paw

14. THE CAT'S PAW. A cunning old Ape who felt his mouth water at the vicinity of certain tempting fruits which he longed to possess, but which he knew to be guarded in a place too warm for his fingers to venture in, asked a foolish young Cat, whom he saw passing, to come to his assistance.
"I pray you," he said, "lend me your paw to reach those pretty nice things that I require. I am a poor old creature that cannot help himself, and will well reward you for your pains."
The silly Cat complied; but in so doing, burnt his claws so terribly that he was unable to catch mice for months to come, while the old Ape got safely off with the plunder.
MORAL. In the trade of chestnut-stealing, it is the Cat comes in for the kicks, while the Monkey enjoys the halfpence. [more info]

The Mole and her Son

13. THE MOLE AND HER SON. A young conceited Mole one day prevailed upon his mother to take him out of their dwelling-hole to see some of the fine sights so much admired by the people above them. He proceeded to criticise the surrounding beauties.
"What an execrable view this is," said he, pausing in sight of a beautiful landscape, and twirling his scanty whiskers with an air. "You don't mean to tell me that sky is blue! And the idea of purple grass is positively ridiculous. There's a horse, too, with six legs, and a man taller than his own house. And I'm sure we ought to be able to see the flowers growing on those mountains at this distance! Out of all reason, colour, and proportion. Preposterous!"
"My son, my son," said the mother, "as you are incapable of appreciating what you affect to despise, it is unfortunate that you are not dumb as well as blind, and so might have escaped this exposure of your ignorance."
MORAL. The fool's tongue is like the rattlesnake's alarum, the providential sign by which we may avoid him. [more info]

The Fox and the Grapes

12. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. A lonely She-Fox was fascinated by some grapes which hung high in a certain Vineyard, and, in order to obtain which, she for some time fatigued herself in leaps, friskings, and contortions, more or less graceful, until her joints grew stiff and her bones fairly ached again. But at last, finding her agility decrease, and the grapes farther from her reach than ever, "Let who will, take them," said she, "as for me, I would none of them as a gift, for I am sure they are as sour as vinegar."
MORAL. It is natural that we should affect to defspise what we cannot obtain. In the ballroom of life, the unfortunate "Wallflower," who has wearied herself out with jumping up in the vain hope of catching a partner, will be found, towards the close of the entertainment, expressing herself in the severest terms on the folly and impropriety of Dancing. [more info]

The Dog and the Shadow

11. THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. There was a vain and greedy young Dog, who, coming near a certain Shallow Stream called Fashionable Society, saw therein the mere shadow and reflection of a tempting prize (the more so, that he conceived it the property of a luckier Dog than himself), in snapping at which he opened his mouth so eagerly and so foolishly as to cause to fall away from him a rare possession of the same kind which was his own, and which was all he could have desired for his heart's content, but which his lips were never allowed to touch more.
MORAL. Many a fool who has sense enough to get a good wife, lacks the wit to know it. [more info]

The Fox that was Docked

10. THE FOX THAT WAS DOCKED. There was a cunning but over-reaching old Fox, who, having fortified himself within certain Banks for the plucking and eating of unsuspecting Geese, was, nevertheless, unearthed, and pursued by the County Hounds. Being caught by a trap in his flight, he was glad to compound for his neck by leaving his magnificent tail behind him. It was so uncouth a sight for a Fox to appear without this distinguishing ornament of his race, that the very thought of it made him weary of his life. But however, for the better countenance of the scandal, he called the Foxes together, when he made a learned discourse upon the trouble, the uselessness, and the indecency of Foxes wearing long, draggling, bushy tails. He had no sooner finished his harangue, than up rises a cunning old Fox, who desired to be informed whether the worthy Fox that had moved against the wearing of tails gave his advice for the advantage of those that possessed such natural appendages, or to palliate the deformity and disgrace of those that had none.
MORAL. A thief who has had his ears cropped in the pillory, should not be suffered to set the fashion in periwigs. [more info]

The Fox and the Crow

09. THE FOX AND THE CROW. A homely old female Crow, having flown out of a shop in the town with a piece of rich cheese in her bill, betook herself to a fine eminence in the country, in order to enjoy it; which a cunning Fox observing, came and sat at her feet, and began to compliment the Crow upon the subject of her beauty.
"I protest," said he, "I never observed it before, but your feathers are of a more delicate white than any I ever saw in my life! Ah, what a fine shape and graceful turn of the body is there! And I make no question but you have a voice to correspond. If it is but as fine as your complexion, I do not know a bird that can pretend to stand in competition with you. Come, let me hear you exercise it by pronouncing a single monosyllable, which will bind me to you, hand and heart, for ever."
The Crow, tickled with this very civil language, nestled and wriggled about, and hardly knew where she was; but thinking the Fox had scarcely done justice to her voice, and willing to set him right in that matter, she called out "Yes," as loud as possible. But, through this one fatal mistake of opening her mouth, she let fall her rich prize — (in the Fox's shrewd estimation all she was worth in the world) — which the Fox snapped up directly, and trotted away to amuse himself as he pleased, laughing to himself at the credulity of the Crow, who saw but little of him or her cheese afterwards.
MORAL.Advice to Rich Widows. — When you listen to a knave's flattery upon what you are, you may have cause to regret not having kept your mouth shut upon what you had; and if you possess great store of cheese, be sure that no fortune-hunter will marry you for the mere sake of the Pairing. [more info]

The Lion and the Gnat

08. THE LION AND THE GNAT. As a great majestic Lion was gathering himself up within his lair, to astonish mankind with the wondrous powers of his roar, there came buzzing under his very nose a troublesome Gnat, who challenged him to combat.
"What avail your tremendous lungs and cavernous throat, compared to the melodious pipes of my little organ? And, as for your strength, endurance, and resolution, I defy you to put that point to an issue at once."
The Lion, finding the insect would not be brushed away, was fain to accept the challenge; so to it they went. But the Lion had no chance, for the Gnat charged direct into the drum of the Lion's ear, and there twinged him until in very despair he tore himself with his own paws. In the end the Gnat gained the victory over the noble beast, upon which he flew away, but had the misfortune afterwards in his flight to strike into a Cobweb, where he, the conqueror, fell a prey to a large Blue-bottle Spider.
MORAL. Little miseries are the greatest torments. [more info]

The Daw in Borrowed Plumes

07. THE DAW IN BORROWED PLUMES. A rich vulgar Daw, who had a mind to be genteel, tricked herself out in all the gay feathers which fell from the fashionable Peacocks, and upon the credit of these borrowed ornaments valued herself above all the birds of the air. But this absurd vanity got her the envy of all the high-born birds with whom she wished to associate; who, indeed, upon the discovery of the truth, by common consent fell to pluming her, and when each bird had taken her own feather, this silly Daw had nothing left wherewith to cover her naked vulgarity.
MORAL. Fine feathers do not always make fine birds. [more info]

The Ape and her Young Ones

06. THE APE AND HER YOUNG ONES. These was a foolish old widowed She-Ape, who had two young Monkeys of twins. She doted upon one of them, whom she countenanced in breaking and pilfering what he pleased; while she only noticed the other to punish him bitterly if he should aggrieve or thwart his brother, but on the whole left him to his own devices.
In the end the spoiled favourite broke out of bounds, and committed a theft away from his mother's cage, and was snapped at by a big Watch-Dog, whose kennel was in a neighbouring Court; while his neglected brother grew up a harmless, active, and amusing Monkey, much respected by all who knew him.
MORAL. A plant may thrive better by the road-side than in a hot-house where a Fool is the Gardener. [more info]

The Wolves and the Sick Ass

05. THE WOLVES AND THE SICK ASS. These were certain hungry carrion-hunting Wolves, who, in a qualm of wonderful charity, paid a visit to a fat old Ass, who lay ill of a bean-surfeit, and was like to die.
"Pray, my good friend," said they, after many protestations of regard, "whereabouts is your greatest pain?"
"Oh, gently! gently!" replied the Ass, as they proceeded to feel his pulse, "for it pricks me just there, where you lay your fingers."
MORAL. The kindness of a legacy-hunter is apt to be killing. [more info]

The Lobster and his Mother

04. THE LOBSTER AND HIS MOTHER. A greenish young Lobster crawling along the Strand with his mother (who, being old and learned, had attained to a deep Blue complexion), was struck by the appearance of a specimen of his own tribe - evidently laid out for show - whose shell-jacket was of a brilliant red. Young, ignorant, and vain, he viewed the dazzling spectacle with admiration and envy.
"Behold," he said, addressing his parent, "the beauty and splendour of one of our family, thus decked out in glorious scarlet. I shall have not rest till I am possessed of an appearance equally magnificent. How can I bear to see myself the dingy object I am at present, mingling undistinguished with our race?"
"Proud and heedless idiot," replied the hard old lady, "this same tawdry finery you so earnestly covet, is but too easily obtained. In order to possess this appearance it is only necessary to be boiled."
Moral. When the Recruiting Sergeant tempts you with the scarlet uniform, he says nothing about getting you into hot water. [more info]