Cooper's Argosy of Fables

An Argosy of Fables; a representative selection from the fable literature of every age and land by Frederic Taber Cooper with illustrations by Paul Bransom, and published in 1921.

online source: Internet Archive

01. THE LION AND THE MOUSE

02. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB

03. THE MONKEY AND THE DOLPHIN

04. THE FOX AND THE STORK

05. THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE

06. THE MOUSE AND THE FROG

07. THE HARE AND THE HOUND

08. THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS.

09. THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS.

The Kite and the Pigeons

09. THE KITE AND THE PIGEONS. Some Pigeons had long lived in fear of a Kite but, by being always on the alert and keeping near their dove cote, they had contrived hitherto to escape the attacks of the enemy. Finding his sallies unsuccessful, the Kite betook himself to craft. "Why," said he, "do you prefer this life of continual anxiety, when if you would only make me your king, I would secure you from every attack that could be made upon you!" The Pigeons, trusting to his professions, called him to the throne, but no sooner was he established there than he exercised his prerogative by devouring a pigeon a day. Whereupon one that yet awaited his turn said no more than, "It serves us right." They who voluntarily put power into the hand of a tyrant or an enemy must not wonder if it be at last turned against themselves. [more info]

The Frogs and the Fighting Bulls

08. THE FROGS AND THE FIGHTING BULLS. A Frog, sitting at the edge of a swamp, was watching a battle between two Bulls in an adjoining field. "Alas! what deadly danger threatens us," he said. Another Frog, overhearing him, asked what he meant, when the Bulls were merely fighting to decide which should lead the herd, and the cattle passed their lives quite apart from the home of the Frogs. "It is true," rejoined the first Frog, "that they are a different race and live apart from us. But whichever Bull is beaten and driven from his leadership in the woods will come to find some secret hiding place; and I fear that many of us will be trampled to pieces under his hard hoofs. That is why I say that their battle means death and destruction to us." When the mighty quarrel, the humble pay the cost. [more info]

The Hare and the Hound

07. THE HARE AND THE HOUND. A Hound having put up a Hare from a bush, chased her for some distance, but the Hare had the best of it, and got off. A Goatherd who was coming by jeered at the Hound, saying that Puss was the better runner of the two. "You forget," replied the Hound, "that it is one thing to be running for your dinner, and another for your life." [more info]

The Mouse and the Frog

06. THE MOUSE AND THE FROG. A Mouse in an evil day made acquaintance with a Frog, and they set off on their travels together. The Frog, on pretence of great affection, and of keeping his companion out of harm's way, tied the Mouse's fore-foot to his own hind-leg, and thus they proceeded for some distance by land. Presently they came to some water, and the Frog, bidding the Mouse have good courage, began to swim across. They had scarcely, however, arrived midway, when the Frog took a sudden plunge to the bottom, dragging the unfortunate Mouse after him. But the struggling and floundering of the Mouse made so great commotion in the water that it attracted the attention of a Kite, who, pouncing down, and bearing off the Mouse, carried away the Frog at the same time in his train. Inconsiderate and ill-matched alliances generally end in ruin, and the man who compasses the destruction of his neighbour is often caught in his own snare. [more info]

The Tortoise and the Eagle

05. THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE.  A Tortoise, dissatisfied with his lowly Life, when he beheld so many of the birds, his neighbours, disporting themselves in the clouds, and thinking that, if he could but once get up into the air, he could soar with the best of them, called one day upon an Eagle and offered him all the treasures of the Ocean if he could only teach him to fly. The Eagle would have declined the task, assuring him that the thing was not only absurd but impossible, but being further pressed by the entreaties and promises of the Tortoise, he at length consented to do for him the best he could. So taking him up to a great height in the air, loosing his hold upon him, "Now, then!" cried the Eagle; but the Tortoise, before he could answer him a word, fell plump upon a rock, and was dashed to pieces. Pride shall have a fall. [more info]

The Fox and the Stork

04. The Fox and the Stork A Fox one day invited a Stork to dinner, and being disposed to divert himself at the expense of his guest, provided nothing for the entertainment but some thin soup in a shallow dish. This the Fox lapped up very readily, while the Stork, unable to gain a mouthful with her long narrow bill was as hungry at the end of dinner as when she began. The Fox meanwhile professed his regret at seeing her eat so sparingly, and feared that the dish was not seasoned to her mind. The Stork said little, but begged that the Fox would do her the honour of returning her visit; and accordingly he agreed to dine with her on the following day.
He arrived true to his appointment, and the dinner was ordered forthwith; but when it was served up, he found to his dismay that it was contained in a narrow-necked vessel, down which the Stork readily thrust her long neck and bill, while he was obliged to content himself with licking the neck of the jar. Unable to satisfy his hunger, he retired with as good a grace as he could, observing that he could hardly find fault with his entertainer, who had only paid him back in his own coin. [more info]

The Monkey and the Dolphin

03. The Monkey and the Dolphin It was an old custom among sailors to carry about with them little Maltese lap-dogs, or Monkeys, to amuse them on the voyage ; so it happened once upon a time that a man took with him a Monkey as a companion on board ship. While they were off Sunium, the famous promontory of Attica, the ship was caught in a violent storm, and being capsized, all on board were thrown in the water, and had to swim for land as best they could. And among them was the Monkey.
A Dolphin saw him struggling, and, taking him for a man went to his assistance and bore him on his back straight for shore. When they had just got opposite Piraeus, the harbour of Athens, the Dolphin asked the Monkey if he were an Athenian.
"Yes," answered the Monkey, "assuredly, and of one of the first families in the place."
"Then of course, you know Piraeus," said the Dolphin.
"Oh, yes," said the Monkey, who thought it was the name of some distinguished citizen. "He is one of my most intimate friends."
Indignant at so gross a deceit and falsehood, the Dolphin dived to the bottom and left the lying Monkey to his fate. [more info]

The Wolf and the Lamb

02. The Wolf and the Lamb As a Wolf was lapping at the head of a running brook, he spied a stray Lamb paddling, at some distance, down the stream. Having made up his mind to seize her, he bethought himself how he might justify his violence.
"Villain!" said he, running up to her, "how dare you muddle the water that I am drinking?"
"Indeed," said the Lamb humbly, "I do not see how I can disturb the water, since it runs from you to me, not from me to you."
"Be that as it may," replied the Wolf, "it was but a year ago that you called me many ill names."
"Oh, Sir!" said the Lamb, trembling, "a year ago I was not born."
"Well," replied the Wolf, "if it was not you, it was your father, and that is all the same; but it is no use trying to argue me out of my supper;" — and without another word he fell upon the poor helpless Lamb and tore her to pieces.
A tyrant can always find plenty of excuses for his wicked deeds. [more info]

The Lion and the Mouse

01. The Lion and the Mouse A Lion was sleeping in his lair, when a Mouse, not knowing where he was going, ran over the mighty beast's nose and awakened him. The Lion clapped his paw upon the frightened little creature, and was about to make an end of him in a moment, when the Mouse, in pitiable tones, besought him to spare one who had so unconsciously offended, and not stain his honourable paws with so insignificant a prey. The Lion smiling at his little prisoner's fright, generously let him go. Now it happened no long time after, that the Lion, while ranging the woods for his prey, fell into the toils of the hunters; and finding himself entangled without hope of escape, set up a roar that filled the whole forest with its echo. The Mouse, recognising the voice of his former preserver, ran to the spot, and without more ado set to work to nibble the knot in the cord that bound the Lion, and in a short time set the noble beast at liberty; thus convincing him that kindness is seldom thrown away, and that there is no creature so much below another but that he may have it in his power to return a good office. [more info]