1) The Fox & the Grapes
One day, a Fox spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed ready to burst with juice, and the Fox’s mouth watered as he gazed longingly at them.
The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump for it. The first time he jumped, he missed it by a long way. So he walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, only to fall short once more. Again and again, he tried, but in vain.
Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.
“What a fool I am,” he said. “Here I am wearing myself out to get a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for.”
And off he walked very, very scornfully.
MORAL: Many pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach
2) The Bear and The Bees
A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree where a swarm of Bees had stored their honey. The Bear began to nose around the log very carefully to find out if the Bees were at home. Just then, one of the swarm came home from the clover field with a load of sweets. Guessing what the Bear was after, the Bee flew at him, stung him sharply, and then disappeared into the hollow log.
The Bear lost his temper instantly and sprang upon the log tooth and claw to destroy the nest. But this only brought out the whole swarm. The poor Bear had to take to his heels, and he was able to save himself only by diving into a pool of water.
MORAL: It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.
3) The Stag and His Reflection
One day, a stag was drinking from a crystal clear spring.
He saw himself clearly reflected in the still water.
He admired his magnificent antlers, the way they arched and curved. He loved how powerful they made him look.
But then he looked at his legs. He hated how thin and spindly they looked. He despised the way they looked like stilts with knobbly bits.
“How is it,” he sighed, “that I have such a glorious pair of antlers but am cursed with such ugly, useless legs?” Just then, he heard a pack of wolves howling nearby. They had picked up his scent and were closing in. He raced off, with his legs taking him further and further out of reach of the wolves. But just as he thought he had escaped into the safety of the forest, his broad antlers caught in the branches of a tree. Pretty soon, he was surrounded by the wolves, unable to escape. It was at that point that the stag realized the legs of which he was so ashamed were in fact, his greatest asset. They would have saved him if it weren’t for the useless ornaments on his head.
MORAL: We often think too highly of the ornamental and despise the useful
4) 4) see details below) The Two Dogs (A Hound and A Mastiff)
A Hound berated a House Dog for getting a large share of the kill on the Master’s return. The House Dog replied it was not his fault; talk to the Master.
MORAL: Children are not to be blamed for the faults of their parents.
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