A Cat caught a Rooster, and pondered how he might find a reasonable excuse for eating him. He accused him of being a nuisance to people by crowing in the nighttime and not permitting them to sleep.

The Rooster defended himself by saying that he did this for the benefit of people, that they might rise in time for their labors.

The Cat replied, “Although you abound in specious apologies, I shall not remain supperless”; and he made a meal of him.

Moral: Evildoers will always find a justification for their actions.

Popularity: 6% [?]

A man who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on returning to his own country, of the many wonderful and heroic feats he had performed in the different places he had visited.

Among other things, he said that when he was at Rhodes he had leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap anywhere near him as to that, there were in Rhodes many persons who saw him do it and whom he could call as witnesses.

One of the bystanders interrupted him, saying:  “Now, my good man, if this be all true there is no need of witnesses.  Suppose this to be Rhodes, and leap for us.”

Moral: Don’t let your words be larger than your deeds.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A controversy prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the greatest number of whelps at a birth.

They rushed clamorously into the presence of the Lioness and demanded her to the settlement of the dispute.  “And you,” they said, “how many sons have you at a birth?’  The Lioness laughed at them, and said: “Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred Lion.”

Moral: The value is in the worth, not in the number.

Popularity: 5% [?]

A MAN had a Donkey and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty.  The Donkey was left in a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Donkey would.  The Lapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often played with him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat.  The Donkey, on the other hand, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and in carrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm.

The Donkey often lamented his own hard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last one day he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his master’s house, kicking up his heels without measure, and frisking and fawning in the same way that he had seen the Lapdog do.  The Donkey next tried to jump about his master as the Lapdog did, but he broke the table and smashed all the dishes upon it to tiny pieces.  He then attempted to lick his master, and jumped upon his back.

The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving the danger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Donkey to his stable with kicks and clubs.

The Donkey, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death, lamented:  “I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor with my companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!”

Moral: don’t try to be something you’re not.

Popularity: 10% [?]

A BAT who fell upon the ground was caught by a Weasel. The Bat pleaded to be spared his life. The Weasel refused, saying that all weasels were by nature the enemy of all birds and he was no exception.

photo credit:
Thomas Hawk

The Bat assured the Weasel that he was not a bird, but a mouse and was promptly set free, with the Weasel apologizing for his mistake.

Shortly afterwards the Bat again fell to the ground and was caught by another Weasel, whom he likewise entreated not to eat him.

The second Weasel said that he had a long standing feud with mice and hated all mice. The Bat assured him that he was not a mouse, but a bat and escaped for a second time.

Moral: Use your circumstances to your advantage.

Popularity: 13% [?]