Childrens Classics PDF EPUB

Some of Æsop's Fables with Modern Instances

by Aesop

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Pages: 66

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About this book

A fox praises a crow holding a piece of cheese, a puppy sleeps through the noise of a workshop, and frogs ask Zeus to provide them with a king. These small scenes introduce a collection of twenty fables attributed to Aesop, translated by Alfred Caldecott and illustrated with designs by Randolph Caldecott. Talking animals turn everyday ambitions, complaints and mistakes into short tales about human conduct.

The translator explains his preference for plain, concise English and describes several changes made to fit the illustrations. Most of the fables come through Greek texts, while others draw on Latin and French versions. Stories involving a dog and a wolf, a horse sharing its pasture, and a lion dividing a catch raise questions about freedom, power and fairness. The brief episodes suit readers who enjoy animal stories with pointed lessons and a touch of humor.

About the author

Aesop

Aesop was a Greek fabulist and storyteller credited with a number of fables now collectively known as Aesop's Fables. Although his existence remains unclear and no writings by him survive, numerous tales credited to him were gathered across the centuries and in many languages in a storytelling tradition that continues to this day.