Philip Ayres (7)

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 Boy and the Scorpion.

Inthe Fields as a Boy was at play catching Flyes and Grashoppers; he, wanting Wit to distinguish, was about to lay his hands on a venomous Scorpion, who perceiving his simplicity, and holding up his threatening Tail, Foolish Boy, said he, forbear, and draw back thy hand, if thou wouldst not suffer immediate Death.

The Tempest.

Certain Men going to Sea, had not Sailed far from their Port, before they were surprsed by a violent Tempest, which in a short time had so miserebly batter'd their Ship, that they were in great danger of sinking to rights, if the Storm should much longer continue its fury: This induced many of the Seamen and Passengers to invoke the Gods of their several Countries, to assist them in that exigency, promising to make considerable Offerings for their Safety; when on a sudden the Winds ceased, and the Sea became calm. At which happy sight, they fell to Feasting and Revelling, being overjoy'd that they had escaped such imminent Peril, beyond all expectation. But the Prudent Master of the Ship calling to them, My Friends, said he, let us be so moderate in our Rejoycing, as if we foresaw the Tempest were about to rage again as before. 

We should not be too much puft up when Things happen to our desire; but as this Fable advises, we should be mindful of the inconstancy of Fortune.

illustration from an 18th-century Phaedrus

The Dog that Feared the Rain.

There was a Dog that whensoever it rained was afraid of going out of doors. Of which another Dog asking him the reason: I was once, answered he, scalded with hot Water, which falling upon me, fetched off not only the Hair, but the Skin also from my Buttocks: This makes me fear even cold Water ever since.

The Jay Stript.

WIth great Art had a Jay trick'd up herself in Peacocks Feathers, and growing proud of her new dress, thought scorn to be seen amongst those of her own kind; she therefore associated herself with the Peacocks: But so soon as they discovered the Cheat, they stripp'd her of all her stoln Bravery, and beat her out of their company.

illustration by Bewick

The Cat and the Cheese.

To prevent the Mice gnawing his Cheese, a Man put a Cat into his Cupboard, but she not only kill'd the Mice, but also eat up the Poor mans Cheese.