sececsecsseessesacesseesecssesseseasesoesesaye Fables in sooth are not what they appear; Owr moralists are mice. and such small deer. We yawn at sermons, but we gladly tum To moral tales, and s0 amused, we learn. hen the animal tale is told with an acknowledged snoral purpose, itbecomes a fable.”* Thus does Stith Thompson define this familiar genre. So universal is the knowledge of such stories as “The Dog in the Manger,” “The Lion and the Mouse,” and “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” that we seem to have been born knowing, them. Children,.and other readers of folklore, are quite accustomed to a world in which beasts and men speak a common language, change worlds and shapes on occasion, render help to one another, or wage wats of wit and cunning. ‘The anthopomorphic treatment of animals is a source of entertainment even in our ‘own sophisticated time—as is evidenced by the popularity of various cartoon characters, ‘As Thompson points out, the fable was born when the familiar animials of folklore were made to bear the burden of a moral. ‘Those fables that are most familiar owe thei wide dissemination to two great written, or literary, sources, one in India and the other in Greece. “Of the five or six hundred fables belonging to the two literary traditions of India and Greece,” says Thompson, “fewer than 1, Jean de la Fontaine, Fables (1668-94). 2. Stith Thompson, The Flliale (Hole, 1946), p- 10. 227228 The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story fifty seem to have been recorded from oral storytellers." ‘The Greek cycle of fables is ascribed to the authorship of one Acsop, about whose origins, fate, and writing there are as many legends as those surrounding Homer. He was 4 Greek slave at Samos, living some time in the sixth century B.C., says One account, a swatthy uran (Aesop means black) and deformed, with a sharp wit that enabled bhim to say through the medium of the fable what he dared not say dicectly, in criticism of his time. ‘The English scholar Joseph Jacohs has proved that the fables of Aesop came mainly from a collection made in 300 B.C. by Demetrius Phalerus, founder. of the Alexandrian Library; therefore, he says, “‘The answet fo the question ‘who wrote Acsop” is simple: ‘Demetrius of Phaleron” * ‘Whatever their origin, Aesop's fables early became a part of the heritage of the English congue: ced from th ublished by ‘ ' inter, in 1484. In 1692, Sie Roger L'Estrange compiled the best and largest collection of fables in English, especially designed for children and including some nae attributed to Aecop. ‘The Croxall ediion of 1722 was also addressed to children. This edition, together with that of Thomas James in 1848, formed the basis for the inost distinguished collection of Aesop's Tables published in America—tie one edited and illustrated by Boris Artaybashelf 1 A second cycle of fables has its origins in India: the great Hindu collection known as the Panchatanira, or the Five Books, in existence as early as 200 B.C. ‘These fables are characterized by an intricate interweaving of story within story, a scheme that is common to the Orient, as the Arabian Nights exemplifies ‘The animals of these fables, unlike those of the simpler tales of Acsop, da no act in accordance with their basic animal character. ‘They are, rather, human beings wearing animal masks, giving voice to wit is in_epii zt Ferme quo five waal watiags. “i eat gee ia eee oe fable were to justify their actions by quotations from Shakespeare and the Bible." ‘The fables of Aesop, taken as a whole, afford shrewd observations on the behavior »\ of humanity, bur those of the Panchatantra come closer to forming a philosophy of life: mors Not rank, but character, is bicth; Ieis noc eyes, but wits that see; ‘True wisdom ‘tis to cease from wrong; , Contentment is prosperity." u ‘These same fables, in their ‘Arabic version, are known as The Fables of Bidpai_ Another ancient Eastern source of fable is the Jataba tales, These are stories clustered about the central theme of the myriad births of the Buddha who, in accordance with the Buddhist belief in the transmigration of the soul, suffered himself to be horn in many shapes of the animal world and the world of nacure, RERRABIRD . Thang, 9.218 4 Jeep Joab, Ttroducon, Aco’ Fels (cs eon, x86; quoted in Percy Moi, Engi Glin Bos (Bao, 1930,» 26 ‘ 5; Pull by she Viking Pes, 1999- 6 Golds Glam: Tals Jom ile Petanrs, cats. Arthur W. Rydet(Usiveriy of Chicago Pres ( 1923), p. 2. . 7. Ryder, p17seseccesessseseesceaccecstosssecsssssosesacsc Fables ‘The earliest versions of the wellloved “Henny Penny” and the “Tar Baby" stories can be traced to this source. Marie Shedlock, the noted English storyteller, made a distinguished collection of the Jataka tales (Eastern Stories and Legends, 1920), directly relating them «0 children in versions to be told or read aloud. In addition to the typical moral purpose of the fable, these stories contain a deep compassion. Of all the tellers of fables, only one has been called Le Fablie, the Fabler, and that one is Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95). Using the fables of Aesop as a ~ basis, drawing iipon ther fables of the medieval world, and inventing some of his own, he made thie telling of them an art, and himself the master storyteller. He gave verse form to the tales, relating them to his own time and country. “painting” chemin a French landscape, and satirizing his contemporaries with gentle humor. He endowed the tales, as he himself stated, with “a certain pi- quancy . . . originality and humor. When I say humor I do not mean jocosity, butan alluring, irresistible something that can be imparted to any subject however serious." The fables of La Fontaine are one of the pillars of French literaeure; it is common for children in France to know many of them by heart. ‘Some educators question the suitability of fables for children, forgetting perhaps that'while children shun moralizing they are drawn to morality. ‘The drama of the fable, the animal characters, and the quick flash of its single illustration of a.teuth—these hold the attention of children. The selection of fables for this anthology has been made as broad as possible; it includes examples of folk fables from different nations as well as many derived from literary sources. Some ofthe best known fables have been omitted, however, because the primary emphasis has been on including those that have the greatest appeal for children, 8, Jean de la Fontaine, Preface, The Fables of La Fontaine, want, Marianne Moore (Viking, 1954), Pp? 229230 The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story Fables of ! The Wind and the Sun Once upon a time when everything could talk, the Wind and the Sun fell into an argument as to which was the stronger. Finally they de- cided to put the mater to a test; they would see which one could make.a certain man, who was walking along the road, throw off his cape ‘The Wind tied first. He blew and he blew and he blew. The harder and colder he blew, the tighter the traveler wrapped his cape about him. ‘The Wind finally gave up and told the Sun to wy. The Sun began co smile and as it ‘grew warmer and warmer, the traveler was com- fortable once more. But the Sun shone brighter and brighter until the man grew so hot, the sweat poured out on his face, he became weary, and seating himself on a stgne, he quickly threw his ‘cape (0 the ground. [You see, gentleness had accomplished what force could no} A Wolf im Sheep's Clothing A certain Wolf, being very hungry, disguised ‘himself in a Sheep's skin and joined a flock of sheep. Thus, for many days he could kill and ‘eat sheep whenever he was hungry, for even the shepherd did not find him out. One night after the shepherd had put all his sheep in the fold, he decided to kill one of bis own flock for food; and without realizing what he was do- ing, he took out the wolf and killed him on the spot. Ic really does not pay to pretend to be what you are not. The Miller, His Son, and the Ass A Miller with his.Son were one time driving. an ass to market (0 eel it. Some young peuple passing by made fun of them for walking when the ass might be carrying one of them. Upon hhearing them, the father had the boy get on the ass and was walking along happily until an old man met them. “You lazy rascal,” he called «0 the boy, “to ride and let your poo old father walk!" ‘The son, red with shame, quickly climbed off the ass and insisted that his father ride, - Not long after, they met another who cried out, “How selfish that father is—to ride and let his young son wal At that the Miller took his Son up on the ass with himself, thinking he had at last done the right thing. But alas, he hadn’s, for the next person they met was more critical than the oth. ers. “You should be ashamed of yourself,”" he said, “to be both riding that poor little beast; you are much better able w catry th.” Discouraged but willing to do right, the Miller and his Son got off the ass, bound its legs together on a long pole, and thus carried icon to the market. When they entered town, however, they made such a fanny sight chat crowds gathered about them laughing and Mlstzation by Jacob Lawrence, from Acp's Fables published in 1970, Reproduced by permision of Windmill Productions, Inc. ReeSSOSSSSSOSeossescecesoc#cosoesssessseossssssat + shouting. This noise frightened the ass'so much that he kicked himself free and, «ambling into the river, was drowned. The Miller, now dis- gusted, called to his Son co come along, and they rushed back home. “Well,” said the father, “we haye lost the ass, but we have learned one ching Rhat when one ti ie he pleases none, no The Dog in the Manger ‘A cxoss, selfish Dog went to rest one hot after. -noon in a-manger. "When the tired Ox came in from the field and wanted to eat his hay, the Dog barked at him so that he dared not ty ic. “To keep others from having what they siced,” said the Ox to himself, “when you can't use it yourself, is the meanest selfishness I know.”” The Jackdaw and the Borrowed Plumes A Jackdaw once found some Peacock feathers. Wishing to make himself beautiful, he stuck them i among his own and tried to pass himself off as a Peacock. But the Peacocks recognized hhim at once and drove him from their midst, palling out the false feathers as they did so. The poor Jackdaw went back to his own kind. ‘The other Jackdaws, however, were so disgusted with his behavior, that they also refused to let ‘him stay with them. “For,” they said, “fine feathers do not make fine bieds and itis silly (0 be proud of borrowed plumes.” A Lion and a Mouse ‘A Mouse one day happened to run actoss the paws of a sleeping Lion and wakened him. ‘The Lion, angry at being disturbed, grabbed the Mouse, and was about to swallow him, when the Mouse cried out, “Please, kind Sir, didn't ‘mean it; if you will let me go, I shall always be grateful; and, pechaps, I can help you some- Mlustravion by Ed Youing, ftom The Lion end the Mowe An Acs) Fable Copyright © 1979 by Ernest Benn Led. Reprimed by peimission of Adam and Chatles Black Pub lishers Led, day.” The idea that such alittle thing as a Mouse could help him so amused the Lion that he let the Mouse go. A week later the Mouse heard Lion roaring loudly. He went closer to see what the trouble was and found his Lion caught in a hunter's net, Remembering his promise, the Mouse began to gnaw the ropes of the net and kept it up until the Lion could get free. ‘The Lion then acknowledged that(Ijtde friends might prove great friends) The Shepherd's Boy and the Wolf A mischievous Shepherd's Boy used to amuse himself by calling, “Wolf, Wolf!” just to see the villagers run with their clubs and pitchforks tohelp him, After he had called this more than ‘once for a joke and had laughed at them each time, they grew angry. One day a Wolf really did get among the sheep, and the Shepherd Boy called “Wolf, Wolf” in vain. “The villagers ‘went on with their work, the Wolf killed what232 ‘The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story ag lastation by Alexander Calder, feo Files of Aap acord ing Sir Reger L'Barange (Grst published 1931). Published by Dover Publications, In, 1967. Reprinted courtesy of the exate of Alexander Calder and The Pace Gallery. he wanted of the sheep, and the Shepherd Boy learned that{liars are not believed, even when they do tell the ruth The Hare and she Tortoise A Hare was once boasting about how fast he could rua when a Tortoise, overhearing him, said, “Tl run you a race.”’ “Done,” said the Hare and laughed to himself; “but ler’s get the Fox for a judge.” ‘the Fox consented and the «wo started, The Hare quickly outran the Tor- toise, and knowing he was.far ahead, lay down to tke a nap. “I can soon pass the Tortoise whenever [ awaken.” But unfortunately, the Hare overslept himself; therefore when he awoke, though he ran his best, he found the Tortoise was already at the goal. He had learned that Slow and steady wins the race. The Goose with the Golden Eggs ‘Once upon a time a Man had a Goose that laid. aGolden Egg every day. Although he. ‘was grad- ually becoming rich, he grew impatient. He wanted to get all his treasure at once; therefore he killed the Goose. Cutting her open, he found her—just like any other goose, and he learned to his sorrow that i takes time to win success, The Grasshopper and the Anti (On a beautiful sunny winter day some Ants had theie winter store of food out to dry. A Grass hopper came by and gazed hungrily at the food. As the Ants paid no attention to him, he finally said, “Won't you please give me something to eat? I'm starving.” “Did you not store away food last summer for use now?” asked the Ante “No,” replied the Grasshopper, “I was too busy enjoying myself in dancing’ and_ singing.” “Well, then,” said the Ants, “live this winter ‘on your dancing and singing, as we live on what we did.(No one has a right to play all the time, cor he will have to slfer for it] oe Belling the Cat One time the Mice were greatly bothered by 4 Cat; therefore, they decided to hold a meeting to talk over what could be done about the mat. ter. During the meeting, a Young Mouse arose and suggested that a bell be put upon the Cat 40 that they could hear him coming. ‘The sug- Bestion was received with great applause, when an Old Mouse arose to speak. “That's all tight,” he said, “but who of us would dare to hang’ bell around the Cat's neck? Seeing their looks of fear, he added, {You know itis often mu easier to suggest a plan than to carry it ont The Dog and His Shadow ‘A Dog, carrying a piece of meat in his mouth, ‘was crossing a stream on a narrow footbridge. He happened to look into the water and there he saw his Shadow, but he thought it another dog with a piece of meat larger than his. He made a grab for the other dog's meat; but in doing so, of course, he dropped his own; therefore was without any, and thus learned that Geeediness may cause one t0 lose everything csescescosscesscece|esssscocosssssesseosssssss: The Fox and the Grapes A hungry Fox happened to be passing along a Vineyard where’ many fine bunches of geapes ‘were hanging high on the arbor. The Fox leaped to get some, time and time again. Failing to do so and weary with jumping, he finally gave up, and as he trotted away he said to himself, EL-dida’e want them anyway; I know they must still be sour.} Sg The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse A Couniry Mouse was very happy that his city cousin, the Town Mouse, had accepted his invi- tation to dinner. He gave his city cousin all the best food he had, such as dried beans, peas, and crusts of bread. The Town, Mouse tried ‘not to show how he disliked the food and picked alitde here and tasted a litle there to be polite. Afrer dinner, however, he said, “How can you stand such food all the time?’ Sull I. suppose here in the country you don’t know about any better. Why don’t you go home with me? ‘When you have once tasted the delicious things Teat, you will never want to come back here.” ‘The.Country Mouse not only kindly forgave the Town Mouse for not liking his dinner, but even consented to go that very evening to the city with his cousin. They arrived late at night, and the City Mouse, as host, took his Country iuxcaion by Achut Rackham. Fom Aap’ Fel, cans V. 8 Vetnon Jones (ise published 1912). Repeodced by pernsion of Wiliam Heinemann, Lid, London, Fables 233, Cousin at once toa room where there had been 2 big dinner. “You are tired,” he said. “Rest here, and Til bring you some real food.” ‘And he broughe the Country Mouse such things as nuts, dates, cake, and fruit. The Country Mouse thought it was all so good, he would like to stay there, But before he had a chance to say So, he heard a terrible roar, and looking up, he saw a huge creature dash into the room. Frightened half out of his wits, the Country ‘Mouse ran from the table, and round and round the room, tying to find @ hiding place, AC lat he found a place of safety, While he stood there trembling he made up his mind to go home 5 soon as he could get safely away; for, to him: self, he said ("I'd rather have, common food in safery than daies and nuts in the midst of dan- The Fox and the Crow A Fox orice saw a Crow making off with a piece of cheese in its beak and made up his mind he was going to get it. ““Good-morning, friend Crow,” he called. “I see your feathers are as black and shining and beautiful as ever. You are really a beautiful bird. It is too bad your voice is poor! If that were lovely t00, you would, without question, be the Queen of Birds." ‘The Crow, rather indignant that the Fox doubted the beauty of her voice, began {0 caw at once.’ Of course the cheese dropped; and as the Fox put his paw on it he yelled, “I have what I-wanted—and let me give you a bit of advice-[Don't trust faecers| "Rables from the East eye The Monkey arid the Crocodile ‘This popular Jataka tale delights with its quick-think- ing hero. {From Jateka Tale, retold by Ellen C. Bab- bite (Appleton Century Crofis, 1912).] Pare I ss oe ‘A monkey lived in a great eee on a river bank. In the river there were many Crocodile ‘234 A Crocodile watched the Monkeys for a long fime, and one day she said t0 her son: “My son, get one of those Monkeys for me. I want the heart of a Monkey (0 eat.” “How am I to catch a Monkey?" asked the litde Crocodile. “I do not travel on land, and the Monkey does not go into the watei “Put your wits to work, and you'll find a way,” said the mother. And the litle Crocodile thoughe and thought, Ac last he said t0 himself: “I know what ['l do. I'll get that Monkey that lives in a big tree ‘on the river bank. He wishes to go across the river to the island where the fruit is so ripe. So the Crocodile swam w ihe «ee where the Monkey lived. But he was a stupid Croco- dile. “Oh, Monkey,” he called, “come with me ‘over 0 the island where the fruit is so ripe. “How can I go with yon?" asked the Monkey. do not swim.” “No—but I do. I will take you over on my back,” said the Crocodile, ‘The Monkey was greedy, and wanted the ripe feuit, so he jumped down on the Crocodile’s back “Off we go!” said the Crocodile. “This is a fine ride you are giving met the Monkey. ‘Do you think so? Well, how do you like this?" asked the Crocodile, diving, “Oh, don't!” cried the Monkey, as he went under the water. He was afraid to let go, and he did not know what to do under the water, When the Crocodile came up, the Monkey sputtered and choked. “Why did you take me ‘under water, Crocodile?” he asked. “Tam going to kill you by keeping you under water," answered the Crocodile. “My mother wants Monkey-heart to eat, and I'm. going 0 take yours to her.” “I wish you had told me you wanted my heart,” said the Monkey, “then I might have ch me. said the stupid Crocodile, “Do you mean to say that you left your heart back there in the tree?" “That is whac I mean,” said the Monkey. “If you want my heart, we must go back to the tee and get it. But we are so near the The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story island where the ripe fruit is, please take me there first.” “No, Monkey,” said the Crocodile, “I'l take you straight back to your wee. Never mind the ripe fruit. Get your heart and bring it to me at once. Then we'll see about going to the is. land.” “Very well,” said the Monkey, But no sooner had he jumped onto the bank of the river than—whisk! up he can into the twee. From the topmost branches he called down to the Crocodile in the water below: “My heart is way up here! If you want it come for it, come for spree ‘The Monkey soon moved away from that tree. He wanted to get away from the Crocodile, so that he might live in peace. But the Crocodile found him, far down the river, living in another tree. In the middle of the river was ered with fruit tees, Half-way between the bank of the river and the island, a large rock rose out of the water. ‘The Monkey could jump to the rock, and then to the island. The Crocodile watched the Mon- key crossing from the bank of the river t0 the rock, and then to the island, He thought to himsclf, “The Moukey will stay.on the island all day, and I'll catch him on his way home at night.” ‘The Monkey had a fine feast, while the Croco- dile swam about, watching him all day. ‘Toward night the Crocodile crawled out of the water and lay on the rock, perfectly still ‘When it grew dark among the trees, the Mon key started for home. He ran down to the river bank, and there he stopped. “What is the matter with the rock?" the Man: key thought to himself. “I never saw it so high before. ‘The Crocodile is lying on it! But he went to the edge of the water and aalled: “Hello, Rock! No answer, Then he called again: “Hello, Rock!" Three times the Monkey called, and then hesecsccesesssesscecosocesocegssssessecasssaessal said: “Why is it, Friend Rock, that you do not answer me to-night?” “Oh,” said the stupid Crocodile to himself, “the rock answers the Monkey at night. I'll have to answer for the rock this tis So he answered: “Yes, Monkey! What is it” ‘The Monkey laughed, and said: “Oh, it's you, Crocodile, is 2" 5 “Yes,” said the Crocodile. “I am waiting here for you. Iam going to eat you.” “You have caaght me in a trap this time," said the Monkey. “There is no other way for me to go home. Open your mouth wide so I ccan jump right into it” Now the Monkey well knew that when Croco- diles open their mouths wide, they shut their eves. While the Crocodile lay on the rock with his mouth wide open and his eyes shut, the Monkey jumped. But not into his mouth! Oh, no! He landed ‘on the top of the Crocodile’s head, and then sprang quickly to the bank. Up he whisked into his tree ‘When the Crocodile saw the trick he Monkey had played on him, he said: “Monkey, you have great cunning. You know no fear. I'll let you alone after thi “Thank you, Crocodile, but I shall be on the watch for you just the same,” said the Monkey. The Golden Goose Aesop's fable about the goose that laid the golden ‘eggs is so similar to this one that itis easy 10 see why a theory developed attributing all folktales 10 sources. ‘The scholarly speculation on the bor- between India and Greece is dealt with more {ally in the headnotes to the stores from the Pancha- tantra in the folktale section. (From More Jataka Tales, retold by Ellen C. Babbite (Appleton Century Crofis, 1922).] Once upon a time there was a Goose who had beautiful golden feathers. Not far away from this Goose lived a poor, a very poor woman, who had wo daughters. The Goose saw that they had a hard time to get along and said he to himself: “If give them one -after another of my Fables 235 * golden feathers, the mother can sell them, and with the money they bring she and her daugh- ters can then live in comfort.” So away the Goose flew to the poor woman's hou: Seeing the Goose, the woman said: “Why do you come here? We have nothing to give you." “But I have something to give you,” said the Goose. “I will give my feathers, one by one, ind you can Sell them for enough so that you nd your daughters can live in comfort.” So saying the Goose gave her one of his feath- ers, and then flew away. From time to time he came back, each time leaving another feather. ‘The mother and her daughters sold the beau- tifal feathers for enough money to keep therm in comfort. But one day the mother said to her daughters: “Let us not trust this Goose. Some day he may fly away and never come back. Then we should be poor again, Let us get all of his feathers the very next time he comes.” The daughters said: “This will -hure the Goose. We will not do such a thing.” But the mother was greedy. The nexe time the Golden Goose came she took hold ‘of him. with both hands, and pulled ont every one of his feathers. Now the Golden Goose has strange feathers. If his feathers are plucked out against his wish, they no longer.remain golden but turn white and are of no more value than chickenfeathers. ‘The new ones that come in are not golden, but plain white. As time went on his feathers grew again, and then he flew away to his home and never came back again. The Poor Man and the Flask of Oil There once was a Poor Man living in a house next t0 a wealthy Merchant who sold oil and honey. As the Merchant was a kind neighbor, he one day sent a flask of oil to the Poor Man. ‘The Poor Man was delighted, and put it care- fully away on the cop shelf. One evening, as hhe was gazing at it, he said aloud, “I wonder how much oil there is in that bottle. ‘There is a large quantity. IF F should selt it, T could buy five sheep. Every year I should have lambs,236 The Oral Traditio and before long I should own a flock. Then I should sell some of the sheep, and be rich ‘enough to marry a wife. Perhaps we might have a son, And what a fine boy he would be! $6 tall, strong, and obedient! But if he should isobey me,” and he raised the staff which he held in his hand, “I should punish him dhus.” And he swung ‘the staff over his head and brought it heavily to the ground, knocking, as he did so, the flask off the shelf, so that the oil ran over him from head to foot. The Hare That Ran Away (Our familiar tale of Henny Penny isa modera variant Of this Jataka tle that recounts one of the Buddha's ‘numerous former births. [From Marie L, Shedlock, Eastern Stories and Legends (Dutton, 1920).] And i came to pass that the Buddha (10 be) was born again as a Lion. Just as he had helped his fellow-men, he now began co help his fellow animals, and there was a great deal to be done. For instance, there was a litle nervous Hare who was always afraid that something dreadful was going (0 happen to her. She was always saying; “Suppose the Earth were co fall in, what ‘would happen to me?” And she said this so often that at last she thought it really was about to happen. One day, when she had been saying over and over again, “suppose the Earth were to fall in, what would happen to me?” she heard a slight noise; it really was only a heavy fuit which had fallen upon a rustling leaf, but the ttle Hare was so nervous she was ready to be- “The Earth is falling in.” She ran away as fast as she could go; presently she met an old brother Hare, who said: “Where are you running to, Mistress Hi And the little Hare said: “I have no time «0 stop and tell you anything. The Earth is falling {n, and 1 am running away.” “The Earth is falling in, is i" said the old brother Hare, in a tone of much astonishment; and he repeated this to his brother hare, and he to his brother hare, and he to his brother hare, until a lst there were a hundred thousand -ve anything, and she said in a frightened tone:! : The Cauldron of Story brother hares, all shouting: “The Earth is falling, in.” Now presently the bigger animals began to take the cry up. First the deer, and then the sheep, and then the wild boar, and then the buffalo, and then the camel, and then the tiger, and then the elephant. ‘Now the wie Lion heatd all chis noise and wondered at it, “There are no signs,” he said, “ofthe Earth falling in. They must have heard something.”” And then he stopped them all short and said: "What is this you are saying?” ‘And the Flephanc said: “I remarked that the Barth was falling i “How do you know this?" asked the Lion. “Why, now I come t0 think of it, it was the ‘Tiger that remarked it co me.” ‘Then the Tiger said: “I had it from the Camel," and the Camel sai the Buffalo.” And the buffalo from the wild boar, and the wild boar from the sheep, and the sheep from the deer, and the deer from “Oh! we heard And the Lion said: “Little Hare, what made vou say that the Earth was falling in?” ‘And the litle Hare said: “I saw it." “You saw i” said the Lion. “Where?” “Yonder by the tr “Well,” said the Lios I will show you how. “No, no,” said the Hare, “I would not go near that tree for anything, I'm so nervous.” “But,” said the Lion, “Tam going to take you.on my back.” And he took her on his back, and begged the animals to stay where they were until diey returned. Then he showed the litle Hare how the fruit had fallen upon the leaf, making the noise that had frightened her, and she said: “Yes, I see—the Earth is not falling in.” And the Lion said: "Shall we go back and tell che other animals?” ‘And they went back. ‘The little Hare stood before the animals and said: “The Barth is not falling in.” And all the animals began to repeat this t0 one another, and they dispersed gradu- ally, and you heard the words more and more softly: “The Earth is not falling in,” etc., et., ete ‘nail dhe sound died away altogether. “come with me and rt ( Csececsoesecesesecesonessscasescsaseosesessat Fables from Other Lands Heron and Humming-Bird ‘A familia theme is developed by the Muskogee Indi- ans ofthe southeastern United Sexes. (Brom Hesilant Wolfand Scruplans Fa: abl Selected from Werld Lier aturt, ed. Karen Kennerly (Random House, 1973).] Heron and Humshing Bird lived on the shores of the ocean inthe east.. One day Humming- Bird came to Heron, and said, “Let us race. Heron answered, “I can't fly. ‘I can't do any- thing.” Buc Humming-Bird kept teasing him to race and finally Heron gave in. They agreed to race from the ocean in the east to the ocean in the west; so they placed themselves at the ‘edge of the water, and began. Heron had barely lifted his wings when Humming-Bird was out of sight, and he raised himself slowly, fapping along at an-even pace. When darkness came, Humiming-Bird wene «a tree and stopped there for the night; but Heron kepe steadily on, and shortly before daylight he was atthe place where Humming-Bird was siting. Day came—Heron had traveled a long distance ahead and the sun ‘was well up before Humming Bird passed him. Next night, Humming-Bird had to rest again, and again Heron went by him, but this time about midnight. Humming-Bird did not pass him again until noon. The third aight, Heron ‘caught up with HummingBied before mid- night, and Humming-Bird did not go by him ‘until late evening. But ten he had to stop once ‘more and Heron soon overtook him. So Heron to the western ocean far ahead. It was early in the morning when he arrived, and he began hunting for fish. Humming-Bird did not come until noon. Then Humming-Bird said to Heron, “I did not believe you could get here fist; for I can dart all around you and all over you.” The Story of the Hungry Elephant Pithy and wity, this highly sophisticated fable comes from the Bulu people of West Aftica. [From Hesitant Fables 237 Wolfand Serupulous Fx: Fables Selected from World Liter ture, ed. Kazen Kennerly (Random House, 1973).] Once there lived an Elephant, and he said «0 himself, “I am very hungry.” He went along a path in the forést, and came to a bamboo- palm standing in a swamp. Roughly he tore down the palm; he saw a tender bud held in one of its leaves. But as he took the bud from the leaf, it fell into the water. He hunted and hunted, yee could nor find it because he had filed up thé water and it blinded his eyes. Then a frog spoke and said, “Listen!” The Ele- phant did not hear, thrashing the water. hard with his trunk. ‘The frog spoke again: “Listen!” ‘The Elephant heard this time, and stood per: fectly still, curious. Thereupon the water be- came cleat so that he found the palm-bud and ate it. Quy Wisdom Is Found Everywhere Like Bret Rabbit in the United States, Anansi, the Uwickster spider hero of Aftica's Ashanti people, excels at outwitting others and sometimes himself. Here, his embarcassing predicament results ia laying. the base for the Ashanti proverb: “One head never _g0¢S into consultation.” [From Harold Courlander, ‘with Albere Kofi Prempeh, The HatShaking Dance sand Otber Atbansi Tales from Ghana (Harcourt, 1957). . Kwaku Anansi regarded himself as the wisest of all creatures. He knew how to build bridges, to make dams and roads, to weave, and 0 hunt. But he dida’e wish to share this wisdom with other creatures. He decided one day that he would gather together all the wisdom of the world and keep it for himself. So he went around collecting wisdom, and each bithe found he put in a large earthen pot. When the pot was full, Anansi prepared to carry it into a high teetop where no one else could find it, He held the pot in front of him and began to climb, ‘Anansi's son Intikuma was curious about what his father was doing, and he watched from be-238 The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story hind some bushes. He saw Anansi holding the pot in front of him against his stomach. He saw that this made it hard for Anansi co grasp the tee he was climbing. At last he couldn’c Keep quiet any longer and he said: “Father, may I make a suggestion?" Anansi was startled and angry, and he shouted: “Why are you spying on me?" Intikuma replied: “I only, wanted t0 help you.” / Anansi said: “Is this your affair?” Tntikuma said co him: “It's only that I see you are having difficulty. When you climb a twee, it is.very hard to hold a pot in front. Ifyou put the pot on your back, you can climb ‘Anansi tried it. He took the pot from in front and put it on his back. He climbed swifdy. But then he stopped. He looked at Intieuma and was embarrassed, for although he carried so much wisdom in the pot, he had not known hhow co climb with i. Tn anger, Kwaku Anansi took the pot and threw ic from the tteetop. It fell on the earth and shattered into many pieces. The wisdom that was in it scattered in all directions. When people heard what had happened, they came and took some of the wisdom ‘Anansi had thrown away. And so today, wisdom is tiot all in one place. It is everywhere. Should you find a foolish man, he is one who dida’t come when the others did 0 take a share of the wisdom. This is the story the Ashanti people are think: ing of when they say: “One head can't exchange ideas with itself.” The Fox and the Thrush f ‘Acdlever reversal of situations makes for a witty com- ‘ment on human nacure. {From Three Rolls and One Doughnut: Fables from Rusia, translated and retold by Mirca Ginsburg (Dial, 1970).] A hungry fox saw a thrush sitting high in a tree. “Good morning, dear thrush,” said the fox. “Theard your pleasant voice, and it made my heart rejoice.” “Thanks for your kindness,” said the theush. The fox called out, “What did: you. say? 1 cannot heat you now. Why don’t you come down on the grass? We'll ake a nice, long walk and have good, friendly talk.” But the thrush said, “Ie isn’t safe for us birds con the grass." “You are not afraid of me?" cried the fox. “Well, if not you, then some other animal." “Oh, no, my dearest friend. ‘There is a new law in the land. Today there is peace among all beasts. We are all brothers. None is allowed to hurt another, : “That's good," said the thrush. “I see dogs coming this way. Under the old law, you would have had to run away. But now there is no reason for you to be frightened.” As soon as the fox heard about the dogs, he ricked up his ears and starting running. ‘Where are you going?" cried the thrush. “We have a new law in the land. The dogs won't touch you now."” “Who knows,” answered the fox as he ran. “Perhaps they have not heard about it yeu” SE The Mouse and the Rat van Andréevich Keylov's owa translations of the French fabulist La Fontaine had a great influence on his own creations, which were aimed at the offcial world of his day. Russian children have responded to the grace and wit of Keylov's writing with affection, [From Fifien Fables of Krylon, trans. Guy Daniels (Mactnillan, 1965).} “Have you heard the joyous news, my friend?" Called out Miss Mousie, on the trot, to Mr. Rat, “They say the Lion's got old Tom, the Cat. ‘We can relax—our fears are at an end.” “Don’t be too sure, my dear,” The Rat called back, “thar we have nothing more to fear: Don’t build up hopes you can’t rely on. If they really start to give each other it for ca, ‘There won't be much left of the Lion— Because, no animal is mightier than the Cai.” 1 ER AE EE gm DHSsevecsececeesssceeescececsesesecosssacsosssse due far from if at an ina, ‘The Daicymaid and Her Milk-Pot Pewete's mill-pot fied her headma just right— Neatly quilted to grip the pot tight. ‘Then she set off to market and surely walked well, In her short muslin dress that encouraged long strides, Since to make beter time she wore shoes with low heel ‘And had tucked up her skirt atthe sides. Like summer attire her head had grown light, ‘Thinking of what she'd have bought by night. In exchange for the milk, since supposing it gone, She'd buy ten times ten eggs and three hens could be set. ‘Taking care all hatched out, she'd not lose more than one And said, “Then there'll be pullets co sell. Til raise them at home; itis quite within reason, Since shrewd Master Fox will be doing well If I can’t shortly buy a young pig and grow bacon. ‘The one I had bought would be almost half grown; He'd need next to no feed—almost nothing at all; ‘When he’s sold I'l have funds—good hard cash to count on. ‘Then with room at the barn for some stock in the stall, I could buy cow and calf if the pig had sold high; IFT'd noc had a loss, I'd add sheep by and by.” Perrette skipped for joy as she dreamt of what she'd bought. ‘The crock crashed. Farewell; cow, calf, fat pig, eggs not hatched out. ‘The mistress of wealth grieved to forfeit forever ‘The profits that were mounting. How ask her husband to forgive het Fables 244 Lest he beat her as was fitting? ‘And thus ended the farce we have watched: Don't count your chickens before they are batched, Modern Fables John G. Saxe The Blind Men and the Elephant A fable that owes much to the Jataka tale The Red. Bud Tre, this isa nineteenth century verse that pre- seats the samme moral. (From John Godfrey Saxe, Poems (Boston, 1852).) Ic was six men of Indostan ‘To learning much inclined, ‘Who went to see the Elephant (Though all of them were blind), ‘That each by observation ‘Might satisfy his mind. ‘The First approached the Elephant, ‘And happening to fall Against his broad and sturdy side, ‘At once began to bawl: “God bless me! but the Elephant Is very like a wall!” ‘The Second, feeling of the tusk, Cried, “Ho! what have we here So very round and smooth and sharp? To me ‘tis mighty clear ‘This wonder of an Elephant Is very like a spear!” ‘The Thied approached the animal, ‘And happening to take ‘The squirming teunk within his harids, ‘Thus boldly up and spake: “Tee,” quoth he, “the Elephant Is very like a snake!242 ‘The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story ‘The Fourth reached out his eager hand, And fele about the knee. “What most this wondrous beast is like Is mighty plain,” quoth he; “Tis clear enough the Elephant Is very like a tree!” The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear Said, “E'en the blindest man Can tell what this resembles most; Deny the fact who caf, This marvel of an Elephant Is very like a fan!" ‘The Sixth no sooner had begun About the beast grope, ‘Than, seizing on the swinging tail That fell wit his scope, And so thiese men of Indostan Disputed loud and long, Each in his own opinion Exceeding stiff and strong. ‘Though each was partly in the cight, ‘And all were in the wrong! James Thurber The Moth and the Star James Thurber's Meny Moons, wellloved fantasy, is actually an elaboration ofa fable, but here he catches the tue spirit of fable, with its moral precept, its economy of expression, and its single éxample by way of illustration. ‘The humor lies in his skilful use of an archaic form in a contemporary idiom. [From James Thurber, Fables for Our Tine and Famous Poens (Harper, 1940).] A young and impressionable moth once set his heart on a certain star. He told his mother about this and she counseled him to set his heart ona bridge lamp instead. “Stars aren't the thing to hang around,” she said; “Lamps are the thing, to hang around.” “You get somewhere that way,” said the moth's father. “You don’t get anywhere chasing stars.” But the moth would not heed the words of either parent. Every eve- ning at dusk when dhe star came out he would start ying toward it and every morning at dawn he would crawl back home worn out with his vain endeavor. One day his father said to him, “You haven't burned a wing in months, boy, and it looks to me as if you were never going to. Alll your brothers have been badly burned flying around strcet lamps and all your sisters have been tcisibly singed fying around house lamps. Come on, now, get out of here and get yourself scorched! A big strapping moth like you without a mark on. him!” ‘The moth left his father’s house, but he would nar fly around ctreet lamps and he- would ot fly around house lamps. He went righton trying to reach the star, which was four and one-third light years, or ewenty-five uillion miles, away. ‘The moth thought it was just caught in the top branches of an elm. He never did reach the star, but he went right on tying, night after night, and when he was a very, very old moth he began o think that he teally had reached the star and he went around saying so. This gave him a deep and lasting pleasure, and he lived to a great old age. His parents and his brothers and his sisters had all been burned to death when they were quite young, Morat: Who flies afar from the sphere of our sorrow is bere today and here tomorrow. ‘Arnold Lobel The Bad Kangaroo This iconoclastic fable reverses social expectations and establishes its moral in the abrupt manner of a Zen teaching story. Arnold Lobel also adroidy uses the gentle humor and economy of the fable in bis beginning reader series, Frog and Taad. [From Ar- ‘old Lobel, Fables (Harper, 1580).] There was a small Kangaroo who was bad in school. He put thumbtacks on the teacher's chair. He threw spitballs across the classroom. He set off firecrackers in the lavatory and spread glue on the doorknobs. “Your behavior is impossible!" said the ane Res RANA BD DMseccoesesececessesocoesecesesecesssoosssess:™ ~ putting thumbtacks in chairs. ichool principal. “I am going to sce your par- ents. [ will ell them what a problem you are!" ‘The principal went to visit Mr. and Mrs. Kan- garoo. He sat down in a living-room chair. “Ouch!” ‘cried ‘the principal. “There is a thumbtack-in this cha “Yes, I know,” said Mc. Kangaroo. “I enjoy ‘A spitball hic the principal on his nose. “Forgive me,” said’Mrs. Kangaroo, “but I can never resist throwing those things.” There was aloud booming sound from the bathroom. * Mustcation of “The Bad Kangaroo," fcom Fable, writen and illusrated by Arnold Lobel (pages 28-29). Copyright © 1980 by Armold Lobel Reprinted by permission of Har et & Row, Publishers, Inc. Fables 243 ‘"Keep calm,” said Mr. Kangiroo to the pria- cipal. “The firécrackers that we keep’in the medicine chest have just exploded. We love the fioise.” ‘The principal rushed for the front door. In an instant he was stuck to the doorknob. “Pull hard,” said Mrs. Kangaroo. “There are lite globs of glue on all of our doorknobs.” ‘The principal pulled himself free. He dashed out of the house and ran off down the street. say Such a nice person,” said Mr. Kangaroo. “I wonder why he left so quickly.” “No doubt he had another appointment,’* stid Mrs. Kangaroo. “Never mind, supper is ready.’ ‘Mr. and Mrs. Kangaroo and their son enjoyed their evening meal. After the dessert, they all threw spitballs at each other across the dining- room table. A cbild’s conduct will reflect the iays of bis parents. Arnold Lobel The Mouse at the Seashore ‘The poignancy and drama of ths fable give ita lyri« cism unusual in the fable form. Lobel's Fables was awarded the Caldecott Medal in 1981. [From Aeaold Lobel, Fables (Harper, 1980). ‘A mouse told his mother and father that he was going on a trip to the seashore. “We are very alarmed!” they cried. “The world is full of tertors. You must not go! “Thave made my decision,” said the Mouse firmly. “I have never seen the ocean, and it is high time that I did. Nothing can make me change my mind,” “Then we cannot stop you,” said Mother and Father Mouse, “but do be careful!" ‘The next day, in the first light of dawn, the Mouse began his journey. Even before the morning had ended, the Mouse came to know trouble and fear. A Cat jumped out from behind a tree. “Twill eat you for lunch,” he said. Te was a narrow escape for. the Mouse.244° ‘The Oral Tradition: The Cauldron of Story ail in the mouth of the Cat. By afternoon the Mouse had been attacked by birds and dogs. He had lost his way several = times. He was bruised and bloodied. He was & tired and frightened, Acevening the Mouse slowly climbed the last hill and saw the seashore spreading out before him. He watched the waves rolling onto the beach, one after another. -All the colors of the sunset filled the sky. “How beautifull” cried the Mouse. ““I wish that Mother and Father were here t0.see this with me." ‘The moon and the stars began ww appear over the ocean. The Mouse sat silently on the top Of the hill. He was overwhelmed by a feeling of deep peace and contentment, & He ran for his life, but he left a part of his & ‘ Alll the miles of a bard road are worth = 4 moment of true happiness Hlustration of “The Mouse ac the Seashore,” from Fable, writen and illstrated by Arnold Lobel (pages 40-41). Copyright © 1980 by Arnold Lobel. Reprinted by permis sion of Harper & Row, Publishers, In,