The Aesop for Children

The Aesop for Children / with pictures by Milo Winter. This book was published in 1919. No information about the author is provided. You can use this link to browse posts from this book, and you will find the table of contents below; I have created blog posts only for the fables with illustrations.

Online source: Hathi Trust
Online source: Project Gutenberg
Online source: Google Books
Online source: LibriVox (audiobook)

The scans are very different: at Hathi, you see very bright images (but some images are black-and-white); at Gutenberg, you see more subdued images. I have used the color images from Hathi when available; otherwise, I have used the Gutenberg images. I would love to find a high-res scan of this book somewhere to use better images throughout! If someone knows of a high-res scan of this book, please leave a comment.

Here's a random image from the book:

Fables with illustrations:

001. THE WOLF AND THE KID.
002. THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS.
003. THE YOUNG CRAB AND HIS MOTHER.
004. THE FROGS AND THE OX.
005. THE DOG, THE COCK, AND THE FOX.
006. BELLING THE CAT.
007. THE EAGLE AND THE JACKDAW.
010. THE KID AND THE WOLF.
011. THE TOWN MOUSE AND THE COUNTRY MOUSE.
012. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.
014. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
015. THE ASS AND HIS DRIVER.
017. THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
018. THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF.
019. THE GNAT AND THE BULL.
020. THE PLANE TREE.
021. THE FARMER AND THE STORK.
022. THE SHEEP AND THE PIG.
023. THE TRAVELERS AND THE PURSE.
025. THE FROGS WHO WISHED FOR A KING.
026. THE OWL AND THE GRASSHOPPER.
027. THE WOLF AND HIS SHADOW.
028. THE OAK AND THE REEDS.
030. THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.
031. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.
032. THE ANTS AND THE GRASSHOPPER.
034. A RAVEN AND A SWAN.
035. THE TWO GOATS.
036. THE ASS AND THE LOAD OF SALT.
037. THE LION AND THE GNAT.
040. THE MONKEY AND THE CAMEL.
041. THE WILD BOAR AND THE FOX.
044. THE LION, THE BEAR, AND THE FOX.
045. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
047. THE HARES AND THE FROGS.
048. THE FOX AND THE STORK.
050. THE WOLF AND THE LION.
051. THE STAG AND HIS REFLECTION.
052. THE PEACOCK.
053. THE MICE AND THE WEASELS.
055. THE FOX AND THE LION.
056. THE LION AND THE ASS.
058. THE VAIN JACKDAW AND HIS BORROWED FEATHERS.
059. THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN.
060. THE WOLF AND THE ASS.
061. THE MONKEY AND THE CAT.
063. THE DOGS AND THE HIDES.
065. THE BEAR AND THE BEES.
066. THE FOX AND THE LEOPARD.
067. THE HERON.
068. THE COCK AND THE FOX.
069. THE DOG IN THE MANGER.
070. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT.
073. THE FOX AND THE GOAT.
074. THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG MOUSE.
075. THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD.
076. THE PEACOCK AND THE CRANE.
078. THE FARMER AND HIS SONS.
079. THE TWO POTS.
080. THE GOOSE AND THE GOLDEN EGG.
081. THE FIGHTING BULLS AND THE FROG.
084. THE GOATHERD AND THE WILD GOATS.
085. THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW.
088. THE ASTROLOGER.
089. THREE BULLOCKS AND A LION.
090. MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.
091. THE FROG AND THE MOUSE.
094. THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING.
095. THE BULL AND THE GOAT.
096. THE EAGLE AND THE BEETLE.
097. THE OLD LION AND THE FOX.
099. THE ASS AND THE LAP DOG.
100. THE MILKMAID AND HER PAIL.
103. THE MISER.
104. THE WOLF AND THE HOUSE DOG.
105. THE FOX AND THE HEDGEHOG.
106. THE BAT AND THE WEASELS.
108. THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.
109. THE MISCHIEVOUS DOG.
110. THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY.
111. THE CAT AND THE FOX.
114. THE FOX AND THE PHEASANTS.
115. TWO TRAVELERS AND A BEAR.
117. THE FOX AND THE MONKEY.
118. THE MOTHER AND THE WOLF.
121. THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF.
122. THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE.
123. THE SHEPHERD AND THE LION.
124. THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION.
125. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.
126. THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET.
127. THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.
128. THE CAT AND THE OLD RAT.
129. THE FOX AND THE CROW.
130. THE ASS AND HIS SHADOW.
131. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS.
132. THE ANT AND THE DOVE.
133. THE MAN AND THE SATYR.
134. THE WOLF, THE KID, AND THE GOAT.
137. THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX.
138. THE LION'S SHARE.
140. THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN.
141. THE HARE AND HIS EARS.
144. THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN.
145. THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH.
146. THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE.

Here's a random fable from the book:

The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle

146. THE FIGHTING COCKS AND THE EAGLE. Once there were two Cocks living in the same farmyard who could not bear the sight of each other. At last one day they flew up to fight it out, beak and claw. They fought until one of them was beaten and crawled off to a corner to hide.
The Cock that had won the battle flew to the top of the hen-house, and, proudly flapping his wings, crowed with all his might to tell the world about his victory. But an Eagle, circling overhead, heard the boasting chanticleer and, swooping down, carried him off to his nest.
His rival saw the deed, and coming out of his corner, took his place as master of the farmyard.
Pride goes before a fall. [more info]

The Fisherman and the Little Fish

145. THE FISHERMAN AND THE LITTLE FISH. A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck one day and caught nothing but a very small fry. The Fisherman was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish said:
"Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman! I am so small it is not worthwhile to carry me home. When I am bigger, I shall make you a much better meal."
But the Fisherman quickly put the fish into his basket.
"How foolish I should be," he said, "to throw you back. However small you may be, you are better than nothing at all."
A small gain is worth more than a large promise. [more info]

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

144. THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN. An Ass found a Lion's skin left in the forest by a hunter. He dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. All took to their heels the moment they saw him.
The Ass was so pleased to see the animals running away from him, just as if he were King Lion himself, that he could not keep from expressing his delight by a loud, harsh bray. A Fox, who ran with the rest, stopped short as soon as he heard the voice. Approaching the Ass, he said with a laugh:
"If you had kept your mouth shut you might have frightened me, too. But you gave yourself away with that silly bray."
A fool may deceive by his dress and appearance, but his words will soon show what he really is. [more info]

The North Wind and the Sun

140. THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN. The North Wind and the Sun had a quarrel about which of them was the stronger. While they were disputing with much heat and bluster, a Traveler passed along the road wrapped in a cloak.
"Let us agree," said the Sun, "that he is the stronger who can strip that Traveler of his cloak."
"Very well," growled the North Wind, and at once sent a cold, howling blast against the Traveler.
With the first gust of wind the ends of the cloak whipped about the Traveler's body. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew, the tighter he held it to him. The North Wind tore angrily at the cloak, but all his efforts were in vain.
Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, and in the pleasant warmth after the bitter cold of the North Wind, the Traveler unfastened his cloak and let it hang loosely from his shoulders. The Sun's rays grew warmer and warmer. The man took off his cap and mopped his brow. At last he became so heated that he pulled off his cloak, and, to escape the blazing sunshine, threw himself down in the welcome shade of a tree by the roadside.
Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force and bluster fail. [more info]

The Lion's Share

138. THE LION'S SHARE. A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other whatever they found.
One day the Wolf ran down a Stag and immediately called his comrades to divide the spoil.
Without being asked, the Lion placed himself at the head of the feast to do the carving, and, with a great show of fairness, began to count the guests.
"One," he said, counting on his claws, "that is myself the Lion. Two, that's the Wolf, three, is the Jackal, and the Fox makes four."
He then very carefully divided the Stag into four equal parts.
"I am King Lion," he said, when he had finished, "so of course I get the first part. This next part falls to me because I am the strongest; and this is mine because I am the bravest."
He now began to glare at the others very savagely. "If any of you have any claim to the part that is left," he growled, stretching his claws meaningly, "now is the time to speak up."
Might makes right. [more info]

The Lion, The Ass, and the Fox

137. THE LION, THE ASS, AND THE FOX. A Lion, an Ass, and a Fox were hunting in company, and caught a large quantity of game. The Ass was asked to divide the spoil. This he did very fairly, giving each an equal share.
The Fox was well satisfied, but the Lion flew into a great rage over it, and with one stroke of his huge paw, he added the Ass to the pile of slain.
Then he turned to the Fox.
"You divide it," he roared angrily.
The Fox wasted no time in talking. He quickly piled all the game into one great heap. From this he took a very small portion for himself, such undesirable bits as the horns and hoofs of a mountain goat, and the end of an ox tail.
The Lion now recovered his good humor entirely.
"Who taught you to divide so fairly?" he asked pleasantly.
"I learned a lesson from the Ass," replied the Fox, carefully edging away.
Learn from the misfortunes of others. [more info]

The Wolf, The Kid, and the Goat

134. THE WOLF, THE KID, AND THE GOAT. Mother Goat was going to market one morning to get provisions for her household, which consisted of but one little Kid and herself.
"Take good care of the house, my son," she said to the Kid, as she carefully latched the door. "Do not let anyone in, unless he gives you this password: 'Down with the Wolf and all his race!'"
Strangely enough, a Wolf was lurking near and heard what the Goat had said. So, as soon as Mother Goat was out of sight, up he trotted to the door and knocked.
"Down with the Wolf and all his race," said the Wolf softly.
It was the right password, but when the Kid peeped through a crack in the door and saw the shadowy figure outside, he did not feel at all easy.
"Show me a white paw," he said, "or I won't let you in."
A white paw, of course, is a feature few Wolves can show, and so Master Wolf had to go away as hungry as he had come.
"You can never be too sure," said the Kid, when he saw the Wolf making off to the woods.
Two sureties are better than one. [more info]

The Man and the Satyr

133. THE MAN AND THE SATYR. A long time ago a Man met a Satyr in the forest and succeeded in making friends with him. The two soon became the best of comrades, living together in the Man's hut. But one cold winter evening, as they were walking homeward, the Satyr saw the Man blow on his fingers.
"Why do you do that?" asked the Satyr.
"To warm my hands," the Man replied.
When they reached home the Man prepared two bowls of porridge. These he placed steaming hot on the table, and the comrades sat down very cheerfully to enjoy the meal. But much to the Satyr's surprise, the Man began to blow into his bowl of porridge.
"Why do you do that?" he asked.
"To cool my porridge," replied the Man.
The Satyr sprang hurriedly to his feet and made for the door.
"Goodby," he said, "I've seen enough. A fellow that blows hot and cold in the same breath cannot be friends with me!"
The man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either. [more info]

The Ant and the Dove

132. THE ANT AND THE DOVE. A Dove saw an Ant fall into a brook. The Ant struggled in vain to reach the bank, and in pity, the Dove dropped a blade of straw close beside it. Clinging to the straw like a shipwrecked sailor to a broken spar, the Ant floated safely to shore.
Soon after, the Ant saw a man getting ready to kill the Dove with a stone. But just as he cast the stone, the Ant stung him in the heel, so that the pain made him miss his aim, and the startled Dove flew to safety in a distant wood.
A kindness is never wasted. [more info]

The Fox and the Crow

129. THE FOX AND THE CROW. One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp nose through the wood in search of a bite to eat, he saw a Crow on the limb of a tree overhead. This was by no means the first Crow the Fox had ever seen. What caught his attention this time and made him stop for a second look, was that the lucky Crow held a bit of cheese in her beak.
"No need to search any farther," thought sly Master Fox. "Here is a dainty bite for my breakfast."
Up he trotted to the foot of the tree in which the Crow was sitting, and looking up admiringly, he cried, "Good-morning, beautiful creature!"
The Crow, her head cocked on one side, watched the Fox suspiciously. But she kept her beak tightly closed on the cheese and did not return his greeting.
"What a charming creature she is!" said the Fox. "How her feathers shine! What a beautiful form and what splendid wings! Such a wonderful Bird should have a very lovely voice, since everything else about her is so perfect. Could she sing just one song, I know I should hail her Queen of Birds."
Listening to these flattering words, the Crow forgot all her suspicion, and also her breakfast. She wanted very much to be called Queen of Birds.
So she opened her beak wide to utter her loudest caw, and down fell the cheese straight into the Fox's open mouth.
"Thank you," said Master Fox sweetly, as he walked off. "Though it is cracked, you have a voice sure enough. But where are your wits?"
The flatterer lives at the expense of those who will listen to him. [more info]

The Cat and the Old Rat

128. THE CAT AND THE OLD RAT. There was once a Cat who was so watchful, that a Mouse hardly dared show the tip of his whiskers for fear of being eaten alive. That Cat seemed to be everywhere at once with his claws all ready for a pounce. At last the Mice kept so closely to their dens, that the Cat saw he would have to use his wits well to catch one. So one day he climbed up on a shelf and hung from it, head downward, as if he were dead, holding himself up by clinging to some ropes with one paw.
When the Mice peeped out and saw him in that position, they thought he had been hung up there in punishment for some misdeed. Very timidly at first they stuck out their heads and sniffed about carefully. But as nothing stirred, all trooped joyfully out to celebrate the death of the Cat.
Just then the Cat let go his hold, and before the Mice recovered from their surprise, he had made an end of three or four.
Now the Mice kept more strictly at home than ever. But the Cat, who was still hungry for Mice, knew more tricks than one. Rolling himself in flour until he was covered completely, he lay down in the flour bin, with one eye open for the Mice.
Sure enough, the Mice soon began to come out. To the Cat it was almost as if he already had a plump young Mouse under his claws, when an old Rat, who had had much experience with Cats and traps, and had even lost a part of his tail to pay for it, sat up at a safe distance from a hole in the wall where he lived.
"Take care!" he cried. "That may be a heap of meal, but it looks to me very much like the Cat. Whatever it is, it is wisest to keep at a safe distance."
The wise do not let themselves be tricked a second time. [more info]

The Lark and her Young Ones

127. THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. A Lark made her nest in a field of young wheat. As the days passed, the wheat stalks grew tall and the young birds, too, grew in strength. Then one day, when the ripe golden grain waved in the breeze, the Farmer and his son came into the field.
"This wheat is now ready for reaping," said the Farmer. "We must call in our neighbors and friends to help us harvest it."
The young Larks in their nest close by were much frightened, for they knew they would be in great danger if they did not leave the nest before the reapers came. When the Mother Lark returned with food for them, they told her what they had heard.
"Do not be frightened, children," said the Mother Lark. "If the Farmer said he would call in his neighbors and friends to help him do his work, this wheat will not be reaped for a while yet."
A few days later, the wheat was so ripe, that when the wind shook the stalks, a hail of wheat grains came rustling down on the young Larks' heads.
"If this wheat is not harvested at once," said the Farmer, "we shall lose half the crop. We cannot wait any longer for help from our friends. Tomorrow we must set to work, ourselves."
When the young Larks told their mother what they had heard that day, she said:
"Then we must be off at once. When a man decides to do his own work and not depend on any one else, then you may be sure there will be no more delay."
There was much fluttering and trying out of wings that afternoon, and at sunrise next day, when the Farmer and his son cut down the grain, they found an empty nest.
Self-help is the best help. [more info]

The Bees and Wasps, and the Hornets

126. THE BEES AND WASPS, AND THE HORNET. A store of honey had been found in a hollow tree, and the Wasps declared positively that it belonged to them. The Bees were just as sure that the treasure was theirs. The argument grew very pointed, and it looked as if the affair could not be settled without a battle, when at last, with much good sense, they agreed to let a judge decide the matter. So they brought the case before the Hornet, justice of the peace in that part of the woods.
When the Judge called the case, witnesses declared that they had seen certain winged creatures in the neighborhood of the hollow tree, who hummed loudly, and whose bodies were striped, yellow and black, like Bees.
Counsel for the Wasps immediately insisted that this description fitted his clients exactly.
Such evidence did not help Judge Hornet to any decision, so he adjourned court for six weeks to give him time to think it over. When the case came up again, both sides had a large number of witnesses. An Ant was first to take the stand, and was about to be cross-examined, when a wise old Bee addressed the Court.
"Your honor," he said, "the case has now been pending for six weeks. If it is not decided soon, the honey will not be fit for anything. I move that the Bees and the Wasps be both instructed to build a honey comb. Then we shall soon see to whom the honey really belongs."
The Wasps protested loudly. Wise Judge Hornet quickly understood why they did so: They knew they could not build a honey comb and fill it with honey.
"It is clear," said the Judge, "who made the comb and who could not have made it. The honey belongs to the Bees."
Ability proves itself by deeds. [more info]

The Dog and his Reflection

124. THE DOG AND HIS REFLECTION. A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.
If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.
It is very foolish to be greedy. [more info]

The Stag, The Sheep and The Wolf

121. THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF. One day a Stag came to a Sheep and asked her to lend him a measure of wheat. The Sheep knew him for a very swift runner, who could easily take himself out of reach, were he so inclined. So she asked him if he knew someone who would answer for him.
"Yes, yes," answered the Stag confidently, "the Wolf has promised to be my surety."
"The Wolf!" exclaimed the Sheep indignantly. "Do you think I would trust you on such security? I know the Wolf! He takes what he wants and runs off with it without paying. As for you, you can use your legs so well that I should have little chance of collecting the debt if I had to catch you for it!"
Two blacks do not make a white. [more info]

The Hare and his Ears

141. THE HARE AND HIS EARS. The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, which he was eating. He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he commanded that all animals with horns should leave his domains within twenty-four hours.
The command struck terror among the beasts. All those who were so unfortunate as to have horns, began to pack up and move out. Even the Hare, who, as you know, has no horns and so had nothing to fear, passed a very restless night, dreaming awful dreams about the fearful Lion.
And when he came out of the warren in the early morning sunshine, and there saw the shadow cast by his long and pointed ears, a terrible fright seized him.
"Goodby, neighbor Cricket," he called. "I'm off. He will certainly make out that my ears are horns, no matter what I say."
Do not give your enemies the slightest reason to attack your reputation. Your enemies will seize any excuse to attack you. [more info]

The Animals and the Plague

122. THE ANIMALS AND THE PLAGUE. Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the animals. Many died, and those who lived were so ill, that they cared for neither food nor drink, and dragged themselves about listlessly. No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner, nor a tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.
At last the Lion decided to call a council. When all the animals were gathered together he arose and said:
"Dear friends, I believe the gods have sent this plague upon us as a punishment for our sins. Therefore, the most guilty one of us must be offered in sacrifice. Perhaps we may thus obtain forgiveness and cure for all.
"I will confess all my sins first. I admit that I have been very greedy and have devoured many sheep. They had done me no harm. I have eaten goats and bulls and stags. To tell the truth, I even ate up a shepherd now and then.
"Now, if I am the most guilty, I am ready to be sacrificed. But I think it best that each one confess his sins as I have done. Then we can decide in all justice who is the most guilty."
"Your majesty," said the Fox, "you are too good. Can it be a crime to eat sheep, such stupid mutton heads? No, no, your majesty. You have done them great honor by eating them up.
"And so far as shepherds are concerned, we all know they belong to that puny race that pretends to be our masters."
All the animals applauded the Fox loudly. Then, though the Tiger, the Bear, the Wolf, and all the savage beasts recited the most wicked deeds, all were excused and made to appear very saint-like and innocent.
It was now the Ass's turn to confess.
"I remember," he said guiltily, "that one day as I was passing a field belonging to some priests, I was so tempted by the tender grass and my hunger, that I could not resist nibbling a bit of it. I had no right to do it, I admit—"
A great uproar among the beasts interrupted him. Here was the culprit who had brought misfortune on all of them! What a horrible crime it was to eat grass that belonged to someone else! It was enough to hang anyone for, much more an Ass.
Immediately they all fell upon him, the Wolf in the lead, and soon had made an end to him, sacrificing him to the gods then and there, and without the formality of an altar.
The weak are made to suffer for the misdeeds of the powerful. [more info]

The Fox and the Pheasants

114. THE FOX AND THE PHEASANTS. One moonlight evening as Master Fox was taking his usual stroll in the woods, he saw a number of Pheasants perched quite out of his reach on a limb of a tall old tree. The sly Fox soon found a bright patch of moonlight, where the Pheasants could see him clearly; there he raised himself up on his hind legs, and began a wild dance. First he whirled 'round and 'round like a top, then he hopped up and down, cutting all sorts of strange capers. The Pheasants stared giddily. They hardly dared blink for fear of losing him out of their sight a single instant.
Now the Fox made as if to climb a tree, now he fell over and lay still, playing dead, and the next instant he was hopping on all fours, his back in the air, and his bushy tail shaking so that it seemed to throw out silver sparks in the moonlight.
By this time the poor birds' heads were in a whirl. And when the Fox began his performance all over again, so dazed did they become, that they lost their hold on the limb, and fell down one by one to the Fox.
Too much attention to danger may cause us to fall victims to it. [more info]

The Rose and the Butterfly

110. THE ROSE AND THE BUTTERFLY. A Butterfly once fell in love with a beautiful Rose. The Rose was not indifferent, for the Butterfly's wings were powdered in a charming pattern of gold and silver. And so, when he fluttered near and told how he loved her, she blushed rosily and said yes. After much pretty love-making and many whispered vows of constancy, the Butterfly took a tender leave of his sweetheart.
But alas! It was a long time before he came back to her.
"Is this your constancy?" she exclaimed tearfully. "It is ages since you went away, and all the time, you have been carrying on with all sorts of flowers. I saw you kiss Miss Geranium, and you fluttered around Miss Mignonette until Honey Bee chased you away. I wish he had stung you!"
"Constancy!" laughed the Butterfly. "I had no sooner left you than I saw Zephyr kissing you. You carried on scandalously with Mr. Bumble Bee and you made eyes at every single Bug you could see. You can't expect any constancy from me!"
Do not expect constancy in others if you have none yourself. [more info]