Some Cranes made their feeding grounds on a field which had been newly sown with wheat.

For a long time the Farmer, brandishing an empty sling, chased the Cranes away by scaring them. When the birds found that the sling was only swung in the air, they stopped taking any notice of it and would not move.

The Farmer, on seeing this, filled his sling with stones, and killed a great number of Cranes. The remaining birds at once forsook his fields, crying to each other,

“It is time for us to be off: for this man is no longer content to scare us, but begins to show us in earnest what he can do.”

Moral: If words suffice not, blows must follow.

A number of Flies were attracted to a honey pot which had been overturned in a housekeeper’s room, and placing their feet in it, ate greedily.

Their feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could not use their wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated.

Just as they were dying, they exclaimed, “Oh foolish creatures that we are, for the sake of a little pleasure we have destroyed ourselves.”

Moral: Pleasure bought with pains, hurts.

A Mountain was once greatly agitated. Loud groans and noises were heard, and crowds of people came from all parts to see what was the matter. While they were assembled in anxious expectation of some terrible calamity, out came a Mouse.

Moral: Don’t make much ado about nothing.

A hare one day ridiculed the short feet and slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: “Even if you were as swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.”

The Hare, believing the Tortoise to be an easy match, agreed to the race. They agreed that the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal.

On the day of the race the two started together. The Hare raced off, leaving the Tortoise to choke on the dust left behind. The Tortoise never stopped for a moment, but went on with a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course.

When the Hare was out of sight of the Tortoise, he lay down by the wayside and fell fast asleep. At last he woke up, and hopped as fast as he could to the finishing line. When he got there, he saw the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably dozing after her fatigue.

Moral: Slow but steady wins the race.

A Mole, an animal blind from birth, once said to his Mother: “I am sure I can see, Mother!”

In her desire to prove to him his mistake, his Mother placed before him a few grains of frankincense, and asked him, “What is it?”

The young Mole said, “It is a pebble.”

His Mother exclaimed: “My son, I am afraid that you are not only blind, but you have lost your sense of smell. as well!”

Moral: If you are going to show off, at least get your facts straight.