--- title: Aesop’s Fables, part 14 — Three hundred Aesop’s fables · full text with trees description: Aesop’s Fables, part 14, «Three hundred Aesop’s fables» by Aesop: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The Viper and the File --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Three hundred Aesop’s fables](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/) / Aesop’s Fables, part 14 # Aesop’s Fables, part 14 Aesop’s Fables, part 14 of «Three hundred Aesop’s fables» by Aesop: the whole text, 133 sentences and 2708 words. Every sentence has its own page with its syntax tree and pragmatics, parsed by Mova itself; 2 of them are in the tales treebank and were checked by a teacher model. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/page/2/) - [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/1/) — The Viper and the File - [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/2/) — A VIPER, entering the workshop of a smith, sought from the tools the means of satisfying his hunger. - [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/3/) — He more particularly addressed himself to a File, and asked of him the favour of a meal. - [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/4/) — The File replied, “You must indeed be a simple-minded fellow if you expect to get anything from me, who am accustomed to take from everyone, and never to give anything in return.” - [5](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/5/) — The covetous are poor givers. - [6](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/6/) — The Lion and the Shepherd - [7](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/7/) — A LION, roaming through a forest, trod upon a thorn. - [8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/8/) — Soon afterward he came up to a Shepherd and fawned upon him, wagging his tail as if to say, “I am a suppliant, and seek your aid.” - [9](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/9/) — The Shepherd boldly examined the beast, discovered the thorn, and placing his paw upon his lap, pulled it out; thus relieved of his pain, the Lion returned into the forest. - [10](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/10/) — Some time after, the Shepherd, being imprisoned on a false accusation, was condemned “to be cast to the Lions” as the punishment for his imputed crime. - [11](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/11/) — But when the Lion was released from his cage, he recognized the Shepherd as the man who healed him, and instead of attacking him, approached and placed his foot upon his lap. - [12](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/12/) — The King, as soon as he heard the tale, ordered the Lion to be set free again in the forest, and the Shepherd to be pardoned and restored to his friends. - [13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/13/) — The Camel and Jupiter - [14](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/14/) — THE CAMEL, when he saw the Bull adorned with horns, envied him and wished that he himself could obtain the same honours. - [15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/15/) — He went to Jupiter, and besought him to give him horns. - [16](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/16/) — Jupiter, vexed at his request because he was not satisfied with his size and strength of body, and desired yet more, not only refused to give him horns, but even deprived him of a portion of his ears. - [17](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/17/) — The Panther and the Shepherds - [18](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/18/) — A PANTHER, by some mischance, fell into a pit. - [19](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/19/) — The Shepherds discovered him, and some threw sticks at him and pelted him with stones, while others, moved with compassion towards one about to die even though no one should hurt him, threw in some food to prolong his life. - [20](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/20/) — At night they returned home, not dreaming of any danger, but supposing that on the morrow they would find him dead. - [21](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/21/) — The Panther, however, when he had recruited his feeble strength, freed himself with a sudden bound from the pit, and hastened to his den with rapid steps. - [22](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/22/) — After a few days he came forth and slaughtered the cattle, and, killing the Shepherds who had attacked him, raged with angry fury. - [23](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/23/) — Then they who had spared his life, fearing for their safety, surrendered to him their flocks and begged only for their lives. - [24](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/24/) — To them the Panther made this reply: “I remember alike those who sought my life with stones, and those who gave me food aside, therefore, your fears. - [25](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/25/) — I return as an enemy only to those who injured me.” - [26](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/26/) — The Eagle and the Kite - [27](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/27/) — AN EAGLE, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree in company with a Kite. - [28](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/28/) — “Why,” said the Kite, “do I see you with such a rueful look?” - [29](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/29/) — “I seek,” she replied, “a mate suitable for me, and am not able to find one.” - [30](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/30/) — “Take me,” returned the Kite, “I am much stronger than you are.” - [31](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/31/) — “Why, are you able to secure the means of living by your plunder?” - [32](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/32/) — “Well, I have often caught and carried away an ostrich in my talons.” - [33](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/33/) — The Eagle, persuaded by these words, accepted him as her mate. - [34](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/34/) — Shortly after the nuptials, the Eagle said, “Fly off and bring me back the ostrich you promised me.” - [35](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/35/) — The Kite, soaring aloft into the air, brought back the shabbiest possible mouse, stinking from the length of time it had lain about the fields. - [36](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/36/) — “Is this,” said the Eagle, “the faithful fulfillment of your promise to me?” - [37](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/37/) — The Kite replied, “That I might attain your royal hand, there is nothing that I would not have promised, however much I knew that I must fail in the performance.” - [38](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/38/) — The Eagle and His Captor - [39](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/39/) — AN EAGLE was once captured by a man, who immediately clipped his wings and put him into his poultry-yard with the other birds, at which treatment the Eagle was weighed down with grief. - [40](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/40/) — Later, another neighbor purchased him and allowed his feathers to grow again. — checked by a teacher - [41](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/41/) — The Eagle took flight, and pouncing upon a hare, brought it at once as an offering to his benefactor. - [42](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/42/) — A Fox, seeing this, exclaimed, “Do not cultivate the favour of this man, but of your former owner, lest he should again hunt for you and deprive you a second time of your wings.” - [43](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/43/) — The King’s Son and the Painted Lion - [44](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/44/) — A KING, whose only son was fond of martial exercises, had a dream in which he was warned that his son would be killed by a lion. - [45](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/45/) — Afraid the dream should prove true, he built for his son a pleasant palace and adorned its walls for his amusement with all kinds of life-sized animals, among which was the picture of a lion. — checked by a teacher - [46](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/46/) — When the young Prince saw this, his grief at being thus confined burst out afresh, and, standing near the lion, he said: “O you most detestable of animals! through a lying dream of my father’s, which he saw in his sleep, I am shut up on your account in this palace as if I had been a girl: what shall I now do to you?” - [47](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/47/) — With these words he stretched out his hands toward a thorn-tree, meaning to cut a stick from its branches so that he might beat the lion. - [48](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/48/) — But one of the tree’s prickles pierced his finger and caused great pain and inflammation, so that the young Prince fell down in a fainting fit. - [49](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/49/) — A violent fever suddenly set in, from which he died not many days later. - [50](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/50/) — We had better bear our troubles bravely than try to escape them. - [51](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/51/) — The Cat and Venus - [52](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/52/) — A CAT fell in love with a handsome young man, and entreated Venus to change her into the form of a woman. - [53](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/53/) — Venus consented to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride. - [54](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/54/) — While the two were reclining in their chamber, Venus wishing to discover if the Cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. - [55](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/55/) — The Cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the couch and pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it. - [56](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/56/) — Venus was much disappointed and again caused her to return to her former shape. - [57](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/57/) — Nature exceeds nurture. - [58](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/58/) — The Eagle and the Beetle - [59](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/59/) — THE EAGLE and the Beetle were at enmity together, and they destroyed one another’s nests. - [60](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/60/) — The Eagle gave the first provocation in seizing upon and in eating the young ones of the Beetle. - [61](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/61/) — The Beetle got by stealth at the Eagle’s eggs, and rolled them out of the nest, and followed the Eagle even into the presence of Jupiter. - [62](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/62/) — On the Eagle making his complaint, Jupiter ordered him to make his nest in his lap; and while Jupiter had the eggs in his lap, the Beetle came flying about him, and Jupiter rising up unawares, to drive him away from his head, threw down the eggs, and broke them. - [63](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/63/) — The weak often revenge themselves on those who use them ill, even though they be more powerful. - [64](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/64/) — The She-Goats and Their Beards - [65](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/65/) — THE SHE-GOATS having obtained a beard by request to Jupiter, the He-Goats were sorely displeased and made complaint that the females equaled them in dignity. - [66](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/66/) — “Allow them,” said Jupiter, “to enjoy an empty honour and to assume the badge of your nobler sex, so long as they are not your equals in strength or courage.” - [67](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/67/) — It matters little if those who are inferior to us in merit should be like us in outside appearances. - [68](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/68/) — The Bald Man and the Fly - [69](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/69/) — A FLY bit the bare head of a Bald Man who, endeavoring to destroy it, gave himself a heavy slap. - [70](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/70/) — Escaping, the Fly said mockingly, “You who have wished to revenge, even with death, the Prick of a tiny insect, see what you have done to yourself to add insult to injury?” - [71](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/71/) — The Bald Man replied, “I can easily make peace with myself, because I know there was no intention to hurt. - [72](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/72/) — But you, an ill-favoured and contemptible insect who delights in sucking human blood, I wish that I could have killed you even if I had incurred a heavier penalty.” - [73](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/73/) — The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea - [74](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/74/) — A SHIPWRECKED MAN, having been cast upon a certain shore, slept after his buffetings with the deep. - [75](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/75/) — After a while he awoke, and looking upon the Sea, loaded it with reproaches. - [76](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/76/) — He argued that it enticed men with the calmness of its looks, but when it had induced them to plow its waters, it grew rough and destroyed them. - [77](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/77/) — The Sea, assuming the form of a woman, replied to him: “Blame not me, my good sir, but the winds, for I am by my own nature as calm and firm even as this earth; but the winds suddenly falling on me create these waves, and lash me into fury.” - [78](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/78/) — The Buffoon and the Countryman - [79](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/79/) — A RICH NOBLEMAN once opened the theaters without charge to the people, and gave a public notice that he would handsomely reward any person who invented a new amusement for the occasion. - [80](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/80/) — Various public performers contended for the prize. - [81](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/81/) — Among them came a Buffoon well known among the populace for his jokes, and said that he had a kind of entertainment which had never been brought out on any stage before. - [82](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/82/) — This report being spread about made a great stir, and the theater was crowded in every part. - [83](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/83/) — The Buffoon appeared alone upon the platform, without any apparatus or confederates, and the very sense of expectation caused an intense silence. - [84](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/84/) — He suddenly bent his head towards his bosom and imitated the squeaking of a little pig so admirably with his voice that the audience declared he had a porker under his cloak, and demanded that it should be shaken out. - [85](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/85/) — When that was done and nothing was found, they cheered the actor, and loaded him with the loudest applause. - [86](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/86/) — A Countryman in the crowd, observing all that has passed, said, “So help me, Hercules, he shall not beat me at that trick!” and at once proclaimed that he would do the same thing on the next day, though in a much more natural way. - [87](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/87/) — On the morrow a still larger crowd assembled in the theater, but now partiality for their favourite actor very generally prevailed, and the audience came rather to ridicule the Countryman than to see the spectacle. - [88](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/88/) — Both of the performers appeared on the stage. - [89](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/89/) — The Buffoon grunted and squeaked away first, and obtained, as on the preceding day, the applause and cheers of the spectators. - [90](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/90/) — Next the Countryman commenced, and pretending that he concealed a little pig beneath his clothes (which in truth he did, but not suspected by the audience ) contrived to take hold of and to pull his ear causing the pig to squeak. - [91](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/91/) — The Crowd, however, cried out with one consent that the Buffoon had given a far more exact imitation, and clamored for the Countryman to be kicked out of the theater. - [92](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/92/) — On this the rustic produced the little pig from his cloak and showed by the most positive proof the greatness of their mistake. - [93](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/93/) — “Look here,” he said, “this shows what sort of judges you are.” - [94](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/94/) — The Crow and the Serpent - [95](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/95/) — A CROW in great want of food saw a Serpent asleep in a sunny nook, and flying down, greedily seized him. - [96](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/96/) — The Serpent, turning about, bit the Crow with a mortal wound. - [97](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/97/) — In the agony of death, the bird exclaimed: “O unhappy me! who have found in that which I deemed a happy windfall the source of my destruction.” - [98](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/98/) — The Hunter and the Horseman - [99](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/99/) — A CERTAIN HUNTER, having snared a hare, placed it upon his shoulders and set out homewards. - [100](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/100/) — On his way he met a man on horseback who begged the hare of him, under the pretense of purchasing it. **1** [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/16/page/2/) - ← previous: [Aesop’s Fables, part 13](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/15/) - next →: [Aesop’s Fables, part 15](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/17/) - ↑ back to [Three hundred Aesop’s fables](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg21/)