Aesop's Fables by J. H. Stickeny

Aesop's Fables by Jenny H. Stickeny, illustrated by Charles Livingston Bull, published in 1915.

online source: Baldwin Project
online source: Hathi Trust

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Illustrated fables:

001. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
005. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.
008. THE FROGS WHO ASKED FOR A KING.
016. THE BAT AND THE WEASELS.
020. THE MOUSE, THE FROG, AND THE HAWK.
028. THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW.
037. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT.
049. THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX.
061. THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE.
066. THE ONE-EYED DOE.
070. THE DOG AND THE HARE.
077. THE FAWN AND HIS MOTHER.
087. THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES.
095. THE CAT AND THE FOX.
098. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE.
110. THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER.
120. THE STAG AT THE LAKE.
142. THE COUNCIL HELD BY THE RATS.
145. THE CUCKOO AND THE EAGLE.
149. THE WOLF AND THE CAT.

Here's a random fable from the book:

The Wolf and the Cat

149. THE WOLF AND THE CAT. A Wolf ran out of the forest into a village — not to pay a visit, but to save its life; for it trembled for its skin. The huntsman and a pack of hounds were after it. It would fain have rushed in through the first gateway, but there was this unfortunate circumstance in the way — all the gateways were closed.
The Wolf saw a Cat on a partition fence and said pleadingly: "Vaska, my friend, tell me quickly, which of the moujiks here is the kindest, so that I may hide myself from my evil foes. Listen to the cry of the dogs and the terrible sound of the horns. All that noise is actually made in chase of me."
"Go quickly and ask Stefan," said Vaska, the Cat; "he is a very kind man."
"Quite true; only I have torn the skin off one of his sheep."
"Well, then, try Demian."
"I’m afraid he’s angry with me, too; I carried off one of his kids."
"Run over there, then; Trofim lives there."
"Trofim! I should be afraid of even meeting him. Ever since the spring he has been threatening me about a lamb."
"Dear me, that’s bad! But perhaps Klim will protect you."
"Oh, Vaska, I have killed one of his calves!"
"What do I hear, friend? You’ve quarreled with all the village," said Vaska to the Wolf. "What sort of protection can you hope for here? No, no; our peasants are not so destitute of sense as to be willing to save you to their own hurt. And, really, you have only yourself to blame. What you have sown, that you must now reap." [more info]

The Cuckoo and the Eagle

145. THE CUCKOO AND THE EAGLE. The Eagle promoted the Cuckoo to the rank of a Nightingale, and at once, proud of its new position the Cuckoo seated itself upon an aspen and began to exercise its musical talents.
After a time it looked around. All the other birds were flying away, some laughing and others abusing it. The Cuckoo grew angry, and hastened to the Eagle with a complaint against the birds.
"Have pity on me!" it begged. "I have been appointed Nightingale to these woods, and yet the birds dare laugh at my singing."
"My friend," answered the Eagle, "I am a king, but I am not a god. It is impossible for me to remedy the cause of your complaint. I can order a Cuckoo to be styled a Nightingale, but to make a Nightingale out of a Cuckoo—that I cannot do." [more info]

The Porcupine and the Snakes

087. THE PORCUPINE AND THE SNAKES. A prickly Porcupine came wandering along one day, looking for a place to live. He found a family of Snakes in a warm cave, and asked them to let him share shelter. The Snakes consented, though much against their will, and the Porcupine crept into their home.
But it was not long before they found that his sharp quills stuck into them and hurt them, and they wished they had never let him in.
"Dear Porcupine, please go away," they said; "you are so large and so prickly."
But the Porcupine was very rude, and said: "Oh, no. If you do not like it here, you can go away. I find it very comfortable."
It was too late that the Snakes learned that it is easier to keep an intruder out than to compel him to go when you have once let him in. [more info]

The Council Held by the Rats

142. THE COUNCIL HELD BY THE RATS. Some little Mice, who lived in the walls of a house, met together one night to talk of the wicked Cat and to consider what could be done to get rid of her. The head Mice were Brown-back, Gray-ear, and White-whisker.
"There is no comfort in the house," said Brown-back. "If I but step into the pantry to pick up a few crumbs, down comes the Cat, and I have hardly time to run to my nest again."
"What can we do?" asked Gray-ear. "Shall we all run at her at once and bite her, and frighten her away?"
"No," said White-whisker; "she is so bold we could not frighten her. I have thought of something better than that. Let us hang a bell round her neck. Then, if she moves, the bell will ring, and we shall hear it, and have time to run away."
"O yes! yes!" cried all the mice. "That is a capital idea. We will bell the Cat! Hurrah! hurrah! No more fear of the Cat!" and they danced in glee.
When their glee had subsided a little, Brown-back asked, "But who will hang the bell round her neck?"
No one answered, "Will you?" he asked of White-whisker.
"I don't think I can," replied White-whisker; "I am lame, you know. It needs someone who can move quickly."
"Will you, Grey-ear?" said Brown-back.
"Excuse me," answered Gray-ear; "I have not been well since that time when I was almost caught in the trap."
"Who will bell the Cat, then?" said Brown-back. "If it is to be done, someone must do it."
Not a sound was heard, and one by one the little Mice stole away to their holes, no better off than they were before.
When there is trouble, there is no need of someone to act, as well as someone to advise. [more info]

The Stag at the Lake

120. THE STAG AT THE LAKE. A Stag, one hot day, came to drink from a clear lake, and stopped to look at his own image in the water. "How beautiful are my fine spreading horns!" said he. "How strong and graceful they are, branching from each side of my head! What a pity it is that my legs should be so thin and ugly!
Just at this moment a lion came crashing through the forest and made ready to spring upon him. Away went the stag! And the legs that he had despised would soon have carried him out of danger; but when he came to the thick woods, his beautiful antlers, of which he had been so vain, caught in the branches and held him fast until the lion came up and seized him. [more info]

The Owl and the Grasshopper

110. THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER. An Owl, who was sitting in a hollow tree, dozing away a long summer afternoon, was much disturbed by a rogue of a Grasshopper, singing in the grass below. So far from moving away at the request of the Owl, or keeping quiet, the Grasshopper sang all the more, saying that honest people got their sleep at night.
The Owl waited in silence for a while, and then artfully addressed the Grasshopper thus: "I suppose I ought to be angry with you, my dear, for I confess I would rather sleep than listen to your singing. But if one cannot be allowed to sleep, it is something to be kept awake by such a pleasant little pipe as yours. And now it occurs to me that I have some delicious nectar with which to reward a musician who sings so sweetly. If you will take the trouble to come up, you shall have a drop. It will clear your voice nicely."
The silly Grasshopper came hopping up to the Owl, who at once caught and killed him, and so finished her nap in comfort. [more info]

The Wolf, The Fox, and the Ape

098. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE APE. A Wolf accused of theft a Fox, who utterly denied the charge, whereupon an Ape undertook to adjudge the matter with question. When each had fully stated his case, the Ape pronounced this sentence: "I am fully satisfied that you, Wolf, never lost what you claim." Then turning to the Fox, he said, "And I believe you have done that which you so stoutly deny." [more info]

The Cat and the Fox

095. THE CAT AND THE FOX. The Cat and the Fox were once talking together in the middle of the forest.
"I do not care what happens," said the Fox, "for I have a thousand tricks, any one of which would get me out of difficulty. But pray, Mrs. Puss," he added, "what would you do if there should be an invasion?"
"I have but one course," Puss replied. "If that would not serve me, I should be undone."
"I am sorry for you," said the Fox. "I would gladly teach you one or two of my tricks, but it is not wise to trust another. We must each take for himself."
These words were hardly spoken, when a pack of hounds came upon them in full cry. The Cat, by means of her one well-proved safeguard, ran up a tree and sat serenely among the branches.
"This is my way," she said to the Fox. "What is yours to be?"
The Fox, with all his thousand tricks, was not able to get out of sight and fell a prey to the dogs. [more info]

The Fawn and his Mother

077. THE FAWN AND HIS MOTHER. A young Fawn once said to his Mother: "I do not see, Mother, how it is that you should be so afraid of the dogs. You are larger than a dog, and swifter; and you are much more used to running. Why is it that the mere mention of a hound puts you into such a terrible fright?"
The Mother smiled upon her brave young son. "I know very well," she said, "that all you say is true. I look at my long legs, and remember all the advantages that you mention, yet when I hear the bark of but a single dog, I faint with terror." [more info]

The Dog and the Hare

070. THE DOG AND THE HARE. A Dog once gave chase to a Hare. Having not long since made a good meal, the Dog was not hungry, and so was not in haste to end the sport by killing the Hare. At times he would snap at his prey, and at times play with him and lick him with his tongue, till at last the bewildered Hare cried: "Pray tell me, are you an enemy or a friend? If a friend, why do you bite me so? And if an enemy, why do you caress me?"
No one can trust a person who is neither the one thing nor the other. [more info]

The One-Eyed Doe

066. THE ONE-EYED DOE. A Doe, blind in one eye, used to graze as near as she could to the edge of a cliff, so that she might keep her blind eye to the water, while with the other she kept watch against the approach of hunters or hounds on the shore. Some boatmen sailing by saw her standing thus on the edge of a cliff, and finding that she did not perceive their approach, they came very close and taking aim, shot her.
Finding herself wounded, she said, "O unhappy creature that I am, to take such care as I did against the dangers of the land, and then, after all, to find this seashore, to which I had come for safety, so much more perilous!" [more info]

The Country Mouse and the City Mouse

061. THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE. A Mouse from the city went on a visit to a friend in the country. The Country Mouse, with many apologies, brought out the best that he had and waited on his guest. There was plenty of oatmeal and peas, a nice scrap of bacon, and even a paring of cheese for dessert. While the guest was dining, the Country Mouse, out of politeness, would eat none of these dainties, for fear there should not be enough for both, but nibbled a piece of straw to keep his guest company.
When the dinner was over, the City Mouse said: "Old friend, I thank you for your courtesy, but I must have a plain talk with you. I do not see how you can bear to live so poor a life in this little hole. Why not come with me to the city, where you will have all sorts of good things to eat and a gay time? You are wasting your life. When you have once seen the city you will never be willing to return to this quiet place."
After being urged a long time, the Country Mouse at last agreed to go to the city that very night. So they started off together, and about midnight came to the great house where the City Mouse lived. In the dining room was spread a rich feast; and the City Mouse, with many airs and graces, ran about the table, and, picking out the nicest bits, waited upon his country friend, who, amazed at the good things, ate to his heart’s content.
All at once the doors of the dining room were flung open, and in came a crowd of people, followed by a big dog, who barked loudly and ran about the room. The Mice rushed for the hole to escape, and the little field Mouse almost died of fright. As soon as he was able to speak, he said: "Well! if this is city life, I have seen enough of it. Stay in this fine place if you like. I shall be only too glad to get home to my quiet, safer, country house and my plain oatmeal and peas." [more info]

The Dog, The Cock, and the Fox

049. THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX. A Dog and a Cock, who were neighbors, once made a little journey together. When night came on, the Cock flew up into the branches of a tree to sleep; and the Dog found a hollow in the trunk, into which he could creep and lie down. They slept well, and as soon as the morning dawned, the Cock, as usual, began to crow.
A Fox, hearing the sound and thinking he was sure of a good breakfast, came and stood under the branches. "Good morning," said he to the Cock. "How glad I am to make the acquaintance of the owner of such a voice! Will you not come down here where we can chat a little?"
"Thank you, I cannot just yet," replied the Cock; "but if you would like to come up here, go around the tree trunk, and wake my servant. He will open the door and let you in."
The Fox did as he as requested; but as he approached the tree, the Dog sprang upon him, and tore him to pieces.
"Two can play the same game," said the Cock, as he looked down upon the scene. [more info]

The Wolf and the Goat

037. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT. A Wolf saw a Goat feeding at the top of a steep precipice, where he could not reach her.
"My dear friend," said the Wolf, "be careful! I am afraid you will fall and break your neck. Do come down to the meadow, where the grass is fresh and green."
"Are you very hungry?" said the Goat. "And is it your dinner time? And would you like to eat me? I think I will not go down to the meadow today, thank you."
And she capered contentedly about on the edge of the rock, as safe from falling as she was from the greedy Wolf with his false care for her. [more info]

The Eagle and the Arrow

028. THE EAGLE AND THE ARROW. A most rapacious Eagle had his eyrie on a lofty rock. Sitting there, he could watch the movements of the animals he wished to make his prey, and, waiting his opportunity, seize them and bear them away. The poor creatures had no protection from such a foe. But an archer saw him one day watching, from his place of concealment, the movements of an unsuspicious hare; and, taking aim, he wounded him mortally. The Eagle gave one look at the Arrow that had entered his heart, and saw that its feathers had been furnished by himself, when descending to secure prey.
"Ah!" said the Eagle, "it is indeed a double grief that I should perish by an Arrow feathered from my own wing." [more info]

The Mouse, The Frog, and the Hawk

020. THE MOUSE, THE FROG, AND THE HAWK. A Mouse, who had always lived on the land, and a Frog, who passed most of his time in the water, became friends. The Mouse showed the Frog his nest and everything he could think of that was pleasant to see; and the Frog invited the Mouse to go home with him and see all the beautiful things that are under the water.
"Can you swim?" asked the Frog.
"Not much," said the Mouse.
"No matter," said the Frog; "I will tie your foot to my foot with a piece of this strong grass, and then I can pull you along nicely." The Frog laughed as he said this. He thought it would be good fun for him, but he well knew that the Mouse would not enjoy it.
When the Frog had tied the Mouse's foot to his own, they started together across the meadow. They soon came to the edge of the water, and the Frog jumped in, pulling the Mouse in with him.
"Oh, how cool and nice the water is, after the dry, hot land!" said the Frog, as he swam gaily about.
But the poor Mouse was frightened. "Please let me go," said he, "or I shall die."
"Oh, never mind," said the unkind Frog; "you will get used to the water. I just love it."
But soon the poor Mouse was drowned, and floated up to the top of the water, while the Frog frisked about down below.
Just then a Hawk saw the Mouse, and pounced upon it. As he flew away with it the Frog was dragged out of the water, too, for he was still tied to the Mouse.
"Stop, stop!" cried the Frog. "Let me go. It is the Mouse you want."
"Come along," said the Hawk; "I want you both. I will eat you first, for I like Frog meat ever better than I do Mouse."
In a few moments the Hawk had made a good supper, and there was nothing left of either the false Frog or the foolish Mouse. [more info]

The Bat and the Weasels

016. THE BAT AND THE WEASELS. A Bat, trying to fly one day, fell to the ground, and a Weasel caught him. The Bat begged the Weasel not to kill him. "There is nothing I hate like a bird," said the Weasel; "I always kill them."
"But I am not a bird," said the Bat, as he folded his wings close to his sides; "birds don't come tumbling down as I did; and besides, don't you see my little smooth head and my ears?"
"Yes, yes," said the Weasel, "I did not notice them at first. I see, you are a mouse;" so he let the Bat go.
Some time after, the Bat took another flight, and again fell to the ground. Another Weasel came out of his hole and caught him.
"Pray don't kill me," said the Bat.
"Certainly I shall," said the Weasel; "I kill mice wherever I find them."
"But stop a moment," said the Bat, spreading his wings; "I am not a mouse. Don't you see my great wings? A mouse can't fly, can it?"
"I beg your pardon," said the Weasel; "I did not know that you were a bird; I thought you were a mouse. I see I was mistake." Then he let him go.
So the cunning Bat escaped a second time, but it is not often safe to use such arguments. [more info]

The Frogs who Asked for a King

008. THE FROGS WHO ASKED FOR A KING. There were once some Frogs who lived together in perfect security in a beautiful lake. They were a large company, and were very comfortable, but they came to think that they might be still happier if they had a King to rule over them. So they sent to Jupiter, their god, to ask him to give them a King.
Jupiter laughed at their folly, for he knew that they were better off as they were; but he said to them, "Well, here is a King for you," and into the water he threw a big Log. It fell with such a splash that the Frogs were terrified and hid themselves in the deep mud under the water.
By and by, one braver than the rest peeped out to look at the King, and saw the Log, as it lay quietly on the tip of the water. Soon, one after another they all came out of their hiding places and ventured to look at their great King. As the Log did not move, they swam round it, keeping a safe distance away, and at last one by one hopped upon it.
"This is not a King," said a wise old Frog; "it is nothing but a stupid Log. If we had a King, Jupiter would pay more attention to us."
Again they sent to Jupiter, and begged him to give them a King who could rule over them. Jupiter did not like to be disturbed again by the silly Frogs, and this time he sent them a Stork, saying, "You will have some one to rule over you now."
As they saw the Stork solemnly walking down to the lake, they were delighted.
"Ah!" they said, "see how grand he looks! How he strides along! How he throws back his head! This is a King indeed. He shall rule over us," and they went joyfully to meet him.
As their new King came nearer, he paused, stretched out his long neck, picked up the head Frog, and swallowed him at one mouthful. And then the next—and the next!
"What is this?" cried the Frogs, and they began to draw back in terror. But the Stork with his long legs easily followed them to the water, and kept on eating them as fast as he could.
"Oh! If we had only been—" said the oldest Frog. He was going to add "content," but was eaten up before he could finish the sentence.
The remaining Frogs cried to Jupiter to help them, but he would not listen. And the Stork King ate them for breakfast, dinner, and supper, every day, till in a short time there was not a Frog left in the lake.
Poor, foolish Frogs, not to have known when they were well off. [more info]

The Fox and the Grapes

005. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. It was a sultry day, and a Fox was almost famishing with hunger and thirst. He was just saying to himself that anything would be acceptable to him, when, looking up, he spied some great clusters of ripe, black grapes hanging from a trellised vine.
"What luck!" he said; "if only they weren't quite so high, I should be sure of a fine feast. I wonder if I can get them. I can think of nothing that would so refresh me."
Jumping into the air is not the easiest thing in the world for a Fox to do; but he gave a great spring and nearly reached the lowest clusters.
"I'll do better next time," he said. He tried again and again, but did not succeed so well as at first. Finding that he was losing his strength and that he had little chance of getting the grapes, he walked slowly off, grumbling as he did so: "The grapes are sour, and not at all fit for my eating. I'll leave them to the greedy birds. They eat anything." [more info]