Philip Ayres (4)

Here are some more fables from Mythologia Ethica: or, Three Centuries of Aesopian Fables by Philip Ayres, and you can click here for all the Ayres fables at this blog.

The Eel and the Serpent

An Eel and a Serpent discoursing together, the Eel lamented her unhappy condition, that was subject to so many Dangers; Man, the implacable Enemy of all their Species, having always so many cunning Snares and Stratagems prepared for their Destruction. Whilst thou, added she, being so like me, that we seem Twins, art in Danger of none of this Treachery to be practised upon thee; but enjoying a long life, dost pass it securely without hazard. 

'Tis true, replyed the Serpent, nor shouldst thou wonder at it: For whosoever presumes to disturb my rest, and make any bold attempt against me, I let not the Injury go unpunished.

The Woodworms and the Fox

The Woodworms, on a time, coming to visit a sick Fox, showed him certain Herbs and Leaves they had brought, thinking to have used them for his Cure: But he told them, He would not admit of Carpenters for his Physicians.

The Wolf and the Lamb

A Lamb in danger to be snapp'd by a Wolf, fled for shelter into a Temple; to whom the Wolf calling, told him he had taken a wrong Sanctuary, for he would be there detained by the Priests for a Sacrifice. 

I had much rather, said the Lamb, dye here a Victim to God, than serve for a meal to thy ravenous Jaws.

illustration by Weir

The Lion, the Mouse and the Fox

In Summer time, as a Lion lay sleeping in his Den, he felt a Mouse run cross his Neck, at which he rose up startled, and as he was looking angrily about him, he perceived a Fox at the Caves mouth laughing at him: 

He then walking gravely towards the Fox, I was not, said he, affrighted at the Mouse, but I would have put her out of that Road, and broak off an ill custom.

The Trifler

To a Forrest went a Poor man to gather Wood for his Fire, where though he saw enough, he thought none of that worth his pains of bringing home, but sought for better; and gazing thus idly about him, would not fix on any. At last, as he rambled on, he happened to meet a Company of Wolves, from whom running to save himself, he came to a River, but there found neither Bridge nor Boat to cross it; and perceiving the Wolves at his heels, ready to devour him, he threw himself into the Water, where, before he could get half way over, not being active in Swimming, he was carried away by the force of the Stream, and sank to the bottom: From thence he was quickly taken in some Fishermens Nets, who drew him ashore, and after draining the Water out of his Body, they left him lying under an old Wall, in appearance, more dead than alive: But he had not been there long e're he came to himself, and then when he might have gone home, he staid relating to such as passed by, the Story, at large, of all his Misfortunes, that had in so short a time happened to him. And as this talking Trifler lay thus repeating his Tale, the Wall fell down and buried him in its Ruins.

This shows that one Misfortune or other is always attending Foolish Triflers.