How fortunate is the master, and how well all goes in his house, when he has a wise servant who listens to his orders and does not obey them, but prefers following his own wisdom.
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Thursday, 31 October 2013
The Wise Servant
The Peasant in Heaven
Once upon a time a poor pious peasant died, and arrived before the gate of heaven. At the same time a very rich, rich lord came there who also wanted to get into heaven.
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Lean Lisa
Lean Lisa was of a very different way of thinking from Lazy Harry and Fat Trina, who never let anything disturb their peace. She slaved away from morning till evening, and burdened her husband,
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Sharing Joy and Sorrow
There was once a tailor, who was a quarrelsome fellow, and his wife, who was good, industrious, and pious, never could please him. Whatever she did, he was not satisfied, but grumbled and scolded,
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Tuesday, 29 October 2013
The Sole
The fishes had for a long time been discontented because no order prevailed in their kingdom. None of them turned aside for the others, but all swam to the right or the left as they fancied,
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The Bittern and the Hoopoe
Where do you like best to feed your flocks, said a man to an old cowherd. Here, sir, where the grass is neither too rich nor too poor, or else it is no use. Why not, asked the man.
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The Owl
Two or three hundred years ago, when people were far from being so crafty and cunning as they are nowadays, an extraordinary event took place in a little town. By some mischance one of the great owls,
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The Moon
In days gone by there was a land where the nights were always dark, and the sky spread over it like a black cloth, for there the moon never rose, and no star shone in the gloom.
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The Duration of Life
When God created the world and was about to fix the length of each creature’s life, the ass came and asked, Lord, how long shall I live. Thirty years, replied God, does that content you. Ah, Lord,
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Monday, 28 October 2013
Death's Messengers
In ancient times a giant was once traveling on a great highway, when suddenly an unknown man sprang up before him, and said, halt, not one step farther. What. Cried the giant, a creature whom I can crush
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Master Pfriem
Master Pfriem was a short, thin, but lively man, who never rested a moment. His face, of which his turned-up nose was the only prominent feature, was marked with smallpox and pale as death.
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The Little Folks' Presents
A tailor and a goldsmith were traveling together, and one evening when the sun had sunk behind the mountains, they heard the sound of distant music, which became more and more distinct.
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The Giant and the Tailor
A certain tailor who was great at boasting but ill at doing, took it into his head to go abroad for a while, and look about the world. As soon as he could manage it, he left his work-shop, and wandered on his way,
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The Nail
A merchant had done good business at the fair. He had sold his wares, and lined his money-bags with gold and silver. Then he wanted to travel homewards, and be in his own house before nightfall.
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The Hare and the Hedgehog
This story, my dear young folks, seems to be false, but it really is true, for my grandfather, from whom I have it, used always, when relating it, to say, it must be true, my son,
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The Peasant and the Devil
There was once upon a time a far-sighted, crafty peasant whose tricks were much talked about. The best story, however, is how he once got hold of the devil, and made a fool of him.
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Sunday, 27 October 2013
Professor Explains Necessity of Life
A professor was teaching about living things in a class. He has two caged rats, one male and the other female, easily understandable by their sizes. He has also got several food items like cheese,
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Saturday, 26 October 2013
God's Food
There were once upon a time two sisters, one of whom had no children and was rich, and the other had five and was a widow, and so poor that she no longer had food enough to satisfy herself and her children.
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Our Lady's Little Glass
Once upon a time a waggoner’s cart which was heavily laden with wine had stuck so fast that in spite of all that he could do, he could not get it to move again.
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The Aged Mother
In a large town there was an old woman who sat in the evening alone in her room thinking how she had lost first her husband, then both her children, then, one by one, all her relations, and at length,
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The Heavenly Wedding
A poor peasant-boy one day heard the priest say in church that whosoever desired to enter into the kingdom of heaven must always go straight onward.
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The Crumbs on the Table
George one day said to his little chickens, come into the parlor and enjoy yourselves, and pick up the bread-crumbs on the table. Your mistress has gone out to pay some visits. Then the chickens said, no, no, we will not go.
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The Grave-Mound
A rich farmer was one day standing in his yard inspecting his fields and gardens. The corn was growing up vigorously and the fruit-trees were heavily laden with fruit. The grain of the year before still lay
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The Boots of Buffalo-Leather
A soldier who is afraid of nothing, troubles himself about nothing. One of this kind had received his discharge, and as he had learnt no trade and could earn nothing, he traveled about and begged alms of kind people.
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The Golden Key
In the winter time, when deep snow lay on the ground, a poor boy was forced to go out on a sledge to fetch wood.
When he had gathered it together, and packed it, he wished,
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Arabian Nights - Prologue
In the chronicles of the ancient dynasty of the Sassanidae, who reigned for about four hundred years, from Persia to the borders of China, beyond the great river Ganges itself, we read the praises of
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The Merchant and the Genie
Sire, there was once upon a time a merchant who possessed great wealth, in land and merchandise, as well as in ready money. He was obliged from time to time to take journeys to arrange his affairs.
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The First Old Man and of the Hind
I am now going to begin my story (said the old man), so please attend.
This hind that you see with me is my wife. We have no children of our own, therefore I adopted the son of a favorite slave, and determined to make him my heir.
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The Second Old Man and of the Two Black Dogs
Great prince of the genii, you must know that we are three brothers– these two black dogs and myself. Our father died, leaving us each a thousand sequins. With this sum we all three took up the same profession, and became merchants.
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The Fisherman
Sire, there was once upon a time a fisherman so old and so poor that he could scarcely manage to support his wife and three children. He went every day to fish very early, and each day he made a rule not to throw
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The Greek King and the Physician Douban
In the country of Zouman, in Persia, there lived a Greek king. This king was a leper, and all his doctors had been unable to cure him, when a very clever physician came to his court.
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The Husband and the Parrot
A good man had a beautiful wife, whom he loved passionately, and never left if possible. One day, when he was obliged by important business to go away from her, he went to a place where all kinds of birds are sold and bought a parrot.
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The Vizir Who Was Punished
There was once upon a time a king who had a son who was very fond of hunting. He often allowed him to indulge in this pastime, but he had ordered his grand-vizir always to go with him, and never to lose sight of him.
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Friday, 25 October 2013
The Young King of the Black Isles
You must know, sire, that my father was Mahmoud, the king of this country, the Black Isles, so called from the four little mountains which were once islands, while the capital was the place where now the great lake lies.
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The Three Kalendars, Sons of Kings, and of Five Ladies of Baghdad
In the reign of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived at Baghdad a porter who, in spite of his humble calling, was an intelligent and sensible man. One morning he was sitting in his usual place with his basket before him,
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The First Kalendar, Son of a King
In order, madam, to explain how I came to lose my right eye, and to wear the dress of a kalendar, you must first know that I am the son of a king. My father’s only brother reigned over the neighboring country,
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The Second Kalendar, Son of a King
“Madam,” said the young man, addressing Zobeida, “if you wish to know how I lost my right eye, I shall have to tell you the story of my whole life.”
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The Envious Man and of Him Who Was Envied
In a town of moderate size, two men lived in neighboring houses; but they had not been there very long before one man took such a hatred of the other, and envied him so bitterly, that the poor man determined to find another home,
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The Seven Voyages of Sinbad the Sailor
In the times of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid there lived in Baghdad a poor porter named Hindbad, who on a very hot day was sent to carry a heavy load from one end of the city to the other.
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The First Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
I had inherited considerable wealth from my parents, and being young and foolish I at first squandered it recklessly upon every kind of pleasure, but presently, finding that riches speedily
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The Second Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
I had resolved, as you know, on my return from my first voyage, to spend the rest of my days quietly in Baghdad, but very soon I grew tired of such an idle life and longed once more to find myself upon the sea.
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The Third Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
After a very short time the pleasant easy life I led made me quite forget the perils of my two voyages. Moreover, as I was still in the prime of life, it pleased me better to be up and doing.
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The Fourth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
Rich and happy as I was after my third voyage, I could not make up my mind to stay at home altogether. My love of trading, and the pleasure I took in anything that was new and strange, made me set my affairs in order,
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The Fifth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
Not even all that I had gone through could make me contented with a quiet life. I soon wearied of its pleasures, and longed for change and adventure. Therefore I set out once more, but this time in a ship of my own,
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The Sixth Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
It must be a marvel to you how, after having five times met with shipwreck and unheard of perils, I could again tempt fortune and risk fresh trouble. I am even surprised myself when I look back,
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The Seventh and Last Voyage of Sinbad the Sailor
After my sixth voyage I was quite determined that I would go to sea no more. I was now of an age to appreciate a quiet life, and I had run risks enough. I only wished to end my days in peace.
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The Little Hunchback
In the kingdom of Kashgar, which is, as everybody knows, situated on the frontiers of Great Tartary, there lived long ago a tailor and his wife who loved each other very much.
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The Barber’s Fifth Brother
As long as our father lived Alnaschar was very idle. Instead of working for his bread he was not ashamed to ask for it every evening, and to support himself next day on what he had received the night before.
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The Barber’s Sixth Brother
There now remains for me to relate to you the story of my sixth brother, whose name was Schacabac. Like the rest of us, he inherited a hundred silver drachmas from our father, which he thought was a large fortune,
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Thursday, 24 October 2013
The Adventures of Prince Camaralzaman and the Princess Badoura
Some twenty days’ sail from the coast of Persia lies the isle of the children of Khaledan. The island is divided into several provinces, in each of which are large flourishing towns, and the whole forms an important kingdom.
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Noureddin and the Fair Persian
Balsora was the capital of a kingdom long tributary to the caliph. During the time of the Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid the king of Balsora, who was his cousin, was called Zinebi.
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Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp
There once lived a poor tailor, who had a son called Aladdin, a careless, idle boy who would do nothing but play all day long in the streets with little idle boys like himself.
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The Adventures of Haroun-al-Raschid, Caliph of Baghdad
The Caliph Haroun-al-Raschid sat in his palace, wondering if there was anything left in the world that could possibly give him a few hours’ amusement, when Giafar the grand-vizir,
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The Blind Baba-Abdalla
I was born, Commander of the Faithful, in Baghdad, and was left an orphan while I was yet a very young man, for my parents died within a few days of each other.
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Sidi-Nouman
The Caliph, Haroun-al-Raschid, was much pleased with the tale of the blind man and the dervish, and when it was finished he turned to the young man who had ill-treated his horse,
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Ali Colia, The Merchant of Baghdad
In the reign of Haroun-al-Raschid, there lived in Baghdad a merchant named Ali Cogia, who, having neither wife nor child, contented himself with the modest profits produced by his trade.
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The Enchanted Horse
It was the Feast of the New Year, the oldest and most splendid of all the feasts in the Kingdom of Persia, and the day had been spent by the king in the city of Schiraz,
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Two Sisters Jealous of Their Younger Sister
Once upon a time there reigned over Persia a Sultan named Kosrouschah, who from his boyhood had been fond of putting on a disguise and seeking adventures in all parts of the city,
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Wednesday, 23 October 2013
The Rana Shibi
There are many successive great kings who ruled the kingdom whose capital city in Hastinapur. One such great king among descendants of Baratha is Rana Shibi. The king Shibi is famous
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The King Shahryar and his Brother
Praise be to Allah – the beneficent king – the creator of the universe – lord of the three worlds – who set up the firmament without pillars in its stead – and who stretched out
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The Bull and the Ass
Know, O my daughter, that there was once a merchant who owned much money and many men, and who was rich in cattle and camels. He had also a wife and family, and he dwelt in the country,
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The Fisherman and the Jinni
IT hath reached me, O auspicious King, that there was a fisherman well stricken in years who had a wife and three children, and withal was of poor condition. Now it was his custom to cast his net every day four times, and no more. On a day he went forth about noontide to the seashore, where he...
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The Ensorceled Prince
Know then, O my lord, that whilom my sire was King of this city, and his name was Mahmud, entitled Lord of the Black Islands, and owner of what are now these four mountains.
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The Monkey And The Wedge
Once upon a time, a merchant started building a temple in the middle of his garden. He had hired many masons and carpenters to get the work done. In the afternoon, the workers used to take some
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The Useful Thief
Long time ago, an old merchant lived in a town. He was a widower and found it very difficult to pass his time alone without a companion. So, he decided to marry again.
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Tittibha Birds And The Ocean
Many years ago, on the shores of an ocean, lived a pair of Tittibha birds. Once, a female Tittibha bird was about to have her babies. She requested her husband to find a quiet and safe place for her to lay eggs.
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Tuesday, 22 October 2013
The Merchant and the Jinni
It has been related to me, O happy King, said Shahrazad, that there was a certain merchant who had great wealth, and traded extensively with surrounding countries; and one day he mounted his horse,
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Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves
In former days there lived in a town of Persia two brothers, one named Kasim, and the other ‘Ali Baba. Their father divided a small inheritance equally between them.
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The Ruined Man
There lived once in Baghdad a very wealthy man, who lost all his substance and became so poor, that he could only earn his living by excessive labor. One night, he lay down to sleep,
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Monday, 21 October 2013
The Vulture and the Cat
Once upon a time there was an old and blind vulture named Taradgava. He lived in a hollow of a tree near the bank of the river. The other vultures would hunt around for food and would usually
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The Lion, the Mouse and the Cat
Once a lion had made his home in one of the caves near the hills. One day as the lion was resting, a mouse dared to run all over his body and then bit off the ends of the lion’s mane.
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The Crows and the Cobra
On a certain tree in a forest, a pair of crows had built their nest. In the hollow of the same tree lived a cobra. The cobra had eaten up their young ones and both of them were worried.
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The Wily Crow
In a certain forest lived a lion who had three servants – a crow, a tiger and a jackal. The lion would hunt, eat his fill and leave the rest for his servants to feed on.
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Saturday, 19 October 2013
The Gunning Merchant
Once in a certain city there lived a merchant called Sabuk. His father had left him comfortably well off but his extravagant ways soon reduced him to poverty.
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Never Give Advice To Fools
On the bank of river Narmada there was a huge tree with widespread thick branches. It was the home of a family of birds who had painstakingly built their nests in it.
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The Golden Bangle
Once in a forest a tiger had attacked a bandit who had some stolen jewelry with him. Seeing a brightly shining golden bangle the tiger was attracted by it and had kept the bangle with him.
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The Foolish Barber
Once in the city of Ayodya lived a man called Chudamani. He was a great follower of Lord Siva. For years together he did great penance as he wished to get a boon from the Lord.
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The Elephant and the Jackal
Once upon a time, there lived an Elephant by the name of Karpuratilaka in a forest. He was brutal and haughty by nature. He used to roam in the forest without restraint.
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The Monkeys and the Bell
Once upon a time, there lived a robber in a village. One day, he stole a temple bell and ran towards the forest. A Tiger heard the jingle of the bell and became curious to locate the sound.
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An Old Tiger and a Greedy Traveler
Once upon a time, there lived a Tiger in a forest. With the passing years, he became too old to hunt. One day, the Tiger was walking by the side of a lake and suddenly, a gold bangle came across his sight.
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The Blind Vulture
Once upon a time, there was a hill that sloped down to the banks of a river. At the bottom of the hill, there was a tree which made the shelter for many birds.
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The Donkey and the Dog
Once upon a time, there lived a Washerman in a village. He had kept a donkey and a dog to serve as his pets. The Dog used to guard his master’s house and escort him wherever he went.
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The Birds and the Shivering Monkeys
Once upon a time, there was a huge tree on the banks of a river. The tree made a comfortable home for the family of birds who had built their nests on its branch.
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Beware of Mean Friends
Once upon a time, there lived a Lion by the name of Madotkata in a forest. Among his followers, a Jackal, a Crow and a Wolf had developed friendship with him.
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The Hart and the Hunter
The Hart was once drinking from a pool and admiring the noble figure he made there. ‘Ah,’ said he, ‘where can
you see such noble horns as these, with such antlers!
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Hercules and the Wagoneer
A Farmer was driving his wagon along a miry country road after a heavy rain. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill
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The Two Fellows and the Bear
Two Fellows were travelling together through a wood, when a Bear rushed out upon them. One of the travelers
happened to be in front, and he seized hold of the branch of a tree,
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The Swallow and the Other Birds
It happened that a Countryman was sowing some hemp seeds in a field where a Swallow and some other birds were hopping about picking up their food.
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The Man, the Boy, and the Donkey
A Man and his son were once going with their Donkey to market. As they were walking along by its side a countryman passed them and said: ‘You fools, what is a Donkey for but to ride upon?’
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The Horse, Hunter, and Stag
A quarrel had arisen between the Horse and the Stag, so the Horse came to a Hunter to ask his help to take
revenge on the Stag.
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The Fox and the Mosquitoes
A Fox after crossing a river got its tail entangled in a bush, and could not move. A number of Mosquitoes seeing its plight settled upon it and enjoyed a good meal undisturbed by its tail.
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The Laborer and the Nightingale
A Laborer lay listening to a Nightingale’s song throughout the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night he set a trap for it and captured it.
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The Frogs Desiring a King
The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swamp that just suited them; they went splashing about
caring for nobody and nobody troubling with them.
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The Man and the Satyr
A Man had lost his way in a wood one bitter winter’s night. As he was roaming about, a Satyr came up to him,
and finding that he had lost his way, promised to give
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The Fox and the Crow By Aesop
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. ‘That’s for me,
as I am a Fox,’ said Master Reynard,
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The Hare with Many Friends
A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends.
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The Man and His Two Wives
In the old days, when men were allowed to have many wives, a middle-aged Man had one wife that was old and one that was young; each loved him very much, and desired to see him like herself.
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Avaricious and Envious
Two neighbors came before Jupiter and prayed him to grant their hearts’ desire. Now the one was full of avarice,
and the other eaten up with envy.
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The Wolf and the Crane
A Wolf had been gorging on an animal he had killed, when suddenly a small bone in the meat stuck in his throat
and he could not swallow it.
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The Man and the Wooden God
In the old days men used to worship stocks and stones and idols, and prayed to them to give them luck.
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The Jay and the Peacock
A Jay venturing into a yard where Peacocks used to walk, found there a number of feathers which had fallen
from the Peacocks when they were molting.
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The Fox without a Tail
It happened that a Fox caught its tail in a trap, and in struggling to release himself lost all of it but the stump. At first he was ashamed to show himself among his fellow foxes.
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The Fox, the Rooster, and the Dog
One moonlit night a Fox was prowling about a farmer’s hen-coop and saw a Rooster roosting high up beyond his reach. “Good news, good news!” he cried. “Why, what is it?” asked the Rooster.
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The Man and the Serpent
A Countryman’s son by accident trod upon a Serpent’s tail, which turned and bit him so that he died. The father
in a rage got his axe, and pursuing the Serpent, cut off part of its tail.
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The Four Oxen and the Lion
A Lion used to prowl about a field in which Four Oxen used to dwell. Many a time he tried to attack them; but whenever he came near they turned their tails to one another,
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Thursday, 10 October 2013
The Bachelor Penguin and the Virtuous Mate
One spring a bachelor penguin’s fancy lightly turned, as it did in every season, to thoughts of illicit love. It was this gay seducer’s custom to make passes at the more
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The Wolf Who Went Places
A wealthy young wolf, who was oblivious of everything except himself, was tossed out of college for cutting classes and corners, and he decided to see if he could
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The Philosopher and the Oyster
By the sea on a lovely morning strolled a philosopher—one who seeks a magnificent explanation for his insignificance and there he came upon an oyster lying in its shell upon the sand.
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The Clothes Moth and the Luna Moth
A clothes moth who lived in a closet and had never done anything, or wanted to do anything, except eat wool and fur, flew out of his closet one twilight just in time
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The Kingfisher and the Phoebe
A proud mother phoebe who had raised two broods of fledglings in the fair weather was at first dismayed and then delighted when one of the males of the second brood
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The Grizzly and the Gadgets
A grizzly bear who had been on a bender for several weeks following a Christmas party in his home at which his brother-in-law had set the Christmas tree on fire,
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The Human Being and the Dinosaur
Ages ago in a wasteland of time and a wilderness of space, Man, in upper case, and dinosaur, in lower, first came face to face. They stood like stones for a long while,
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The Butterfly, the Ladybug, and the Phoebe
A phoebe, bugwinner for a nestful of fledglings, flew out one day to provide dinner for his family, and came upon a ladybug in frantic flight.
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The Trial of the Old Watchdog
An old experienced collie, who had been a faithful country watchdog for many years, was arrested one summer’s day and accused of the first-degree murder of a lamb.
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The Tiger Who Would Be King
One morning the tiger woke up in the jungle and told his mate that he was king of beasts.
“Leo, the lion, is king of beasts,” she said.
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The Bluebird and His Brother
It was said of two bluebirds that they were unlike as two brothers could be, that one was a pearl in a pod and the other a pea. Pearl was happy-go-lucky, and Pea was gloomy-go-sorry.
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The Weaver and the Worm
A weaver watched in wide-eyed wonder a silkworm spinning its cocoon in a white mulberry tree.
“Where do you get that stuff?” asked the admiring weaver.
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The Godfather and His Godchild
A worldly-wise collector, who had trotted the globe collecting everything he could shoot, or buy, or make off with, called upon his godchild, a little girl of five,
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The Bragdowdy and the Busybody
A female hare, who had been born with a foot in everybody’s affairs, became known in her community as “that big Belgian busybody.” She was always listening to the
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Oliver and the Other Ostriches
An austere ostrich of awesome authority was lecturing younger ostriches one day on the superiority of their species to all other species.
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The Daws on the Dial
A young jackdaw told his father that he was going to build his nest on the minute hand of the town clock. “That’s the most unthinkable thing you ever thought of,” said old John Daw. Young Jack was not deterred. “We’ll build our nest when the minute hand is...
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The Foolhardy Mouse and the Cautious Cat
Such sport there had been that day, in the kitchen and the pantry, for the cat was away and the mice were playing all manner of games: mousy-wants-a-corner, hide-and-squeak,
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The Shrike and the Chipmunks
Once upon a time there were two chipmunks, a male and a female. The male chipmunk thought that arranging nuts in artistic patters was more fun that just piling them up to see how many you could pile up.
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The Cricket and the Wren
At a music festival one summer in Tangletale Wood, a score of soloists came together to compete for the annual Peacock Awards. The Cricket was asked to pick the winner
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The Fox and the Crow
A crow, perched in a tree with a piece of cheese in his beak, attracted the eye and nose of a fox. “If you can sing as prettily as you sit,” said the fox, “then you are
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The Woodman and the Serpent
One wintry day a Woodman was tramping home from his work when he saw something black lying on the snow. When he came closer he saw it was a Serpent to all appearance dead.
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The Hare and the Tortoise
The Hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. ‘I have never yet been beaten,’ said he, ‘when I put forth my full speed. I challenge any one here to race with me.’
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The Belly and the Members
One fine day it occurred to the Members of the Body that they were doing all the work and the Belly was having all the food.
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The Miser and His Gold
Once upon a time there was a Miser who used to hide his gold at the foot of a tree in his garden; but every week
he used to go and dig it up and gloat over his gains.
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The Young Thief and His Mother
A young Man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had been condemned to be executed for it. He expressed his desire to see his Mother, and to speak with her
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The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Now you must know that a Town Mouse once upon a time went on a visit to his cousin in the country. He was rough and ready, this cousin, but he loved his town
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The Horse and the Mule
A Horse and a Mule were traveling together, the Horse prancing along in its fine trappings, the Mule carrying
with difficulty the heavy weight in its panniers.
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The Tortoise and the Birds
A Tortoise desired to change its place of residence, so he asked an Eagle to carry him to his new home, promising her a rich reward for her trouble.
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The Bat, the Birds, and the Beasts
A great conflict was about to come off between the Birds and the Beasts. When the two armies were collected together the Bat hesitated which to join.
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The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
A Trumpeter during a battle ventured too near the enemy and was captured by them. They were about to proceed to put him to death when he begged them to hear his plea for mercy.
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The One-Eyed Doe
A Doe had had the misfortune to lose one of her eyes, and could not see any one approaching her on that side.
So to avoid any danger she always used to feed
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The Fisher and the Little Fish
It happened that a Fisher, after fishing all day, caught only a little fish. ‘Pray, let me go, master,’ said the Fish. ‘I am much too small for your eating just now.
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The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
A Wolf found great difficulty in getting at the sheep owing to the vigilance of the shepherd and his dogs. But one day it found the skin of a sheep that had been
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The Dog in the Manger
A Dog looking out for its afternoon nap jumped into the Manger of an Ox and lay there cosily upon the straw.
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Thursday, 3 October 2013
The Magpie's Treasure
One day when the sun made everything that glitters glitter and everything that sparkles sparkle, a magpie picked up something from a gutter and carried it off to her nest.
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The Truth About Toads
One midsummer night at the Fauna Club, some of the members fell to boasting, each of his own unique distinction or achievement.
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The Mouse and the Money
A city mouse who moved to the country to live in the walls of an old house with a lot of country mice began lording it over them from the start. He trimmed his whiskers,
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The Turtle Who Conquered Time
A turtle appeared in a meadow one summer’s day and attracted the attention of all the creatures in the grass and in the trees, because the date 44 B.C. was carved on his shell.
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The Bears and the Monkeys
In a deep forest there lived many bears. They spent the winter sleeping, and the summer playing leap-bear and stealing honey and buns from nearby cottages.
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The Chipmunk and His Mate
A male chipmunk could sleep like a top or a log or a baby as soon as his head hit the pillow, but his mate was always as wakeful as an owl or a nightwatchman or a burglar.
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Ivory, Apes, and People
A band of ambitious apes in Africa once called upon a herd of elephants with a business proposition. “We can sell your tusks to people for a fortune in peanuts and oranges,”
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The Goose That Laid the Gilded Egg
The goose didn’t really lay a gilded egg. She laid an ordinary goose egg, like any other goose egg, and some joker gilded it when she left the nest for a snack or a snail.
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The Lady of the Legs
In a pool near Paris there lived a frog who thought she was wonderful.
“I have the largest lily pad, the deepest dive,
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The Peacelike Mongoose
In cobra country a mongoose was born one day who didn’t want to fight cobras or anything else. The word spread from mongoose to mongoose that there was a mongoose who didn’t want to fight cobras.
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Wednesday, 2 October 2013
The Princess And The Tin Box
Once upon a time, in a far country, there lived a king whose daughter was the prettiest princess in the world. Her eyes were like the cornflower, her hair was sweeter
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The Unicorn in the Garden
Once upon a sunny morning a man who sat in a breakfast nook looked up from his scrambled eggs to see a white unicorn with a golden horn quietly cropping the roses in the garden.
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The Shore and the Sea
A single excited lemming started the exodus, crying, “Fire!” and running toward the sea. He may have seen the sunrise through the trees, or waked from a fiery nightmare,
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The Lion and the Foxes
The lion had just explained to the cow, the goat, and the sheep that the stag they had killed belonged to him, when three little foxes appeared on the scene.
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The Wolf at the Door
Mr. and Mrs. Sheep were sitting in their sitting room with their daughter, who was as pretty as she was edible, when there was a knock at the front door.
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The Wind and the Sun
The Wind and the Sun were disputing which was the stronger. Suddenly they saw a traveler coming down the road, and the Sun said: ‘I see a way to decide our dispute.
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The Mountains in Labor
One day the Countrymen noticed that the Mountains were in labour; smoke came out of their summits, the earth was quaking at their feet, trees were crashing,
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The Peacock and Juno
A Peacock once placed a petition before Juno desiring to have the voice of a nightingale in addition to his other
attractions; but Juno refused his request.
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The Buffoon and the Countryman
At a country fair there was a Buffoon who made all the people laugh by imitating the cries of various animals. He
finished off by squeaking so like a pig that the
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The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it was as heavy as lead and he was going
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The Frog and the Ox
‘Oh Father,’ said a little Frog to the big one sitting by the side of a pool, ‘I have seen such a terrible monster! It was as big as a mountain,
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The Mule’s Brains
The Lion and the Fox went hunting together. The Lion, on the advice of the Fox, sent a message to the Mule, pro-
posing to make an alliance between their two families.
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The Fox and the Lion
When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, and ran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time however he came near the King of Beasts he
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The Ass and the Lapdog
A Farmer one day came to the stables to see to his beasts of burden: among them was his favorite Ass, that
was always well fed and often carried his master.
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Belling the Cat
Long ago, the mice had a general council to consider what measures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the Cat. Some said this, and some said that;
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Androcles and the Lion
A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he
came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning.
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The Bundle of Sticks
An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice.
He ordered his servants to bring in a
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The Hares and the Frogs
The Hares were so persecuted by the other beasts, they did not know where to go. As soon as they saw a single
animal approach them, off they used to run.
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The Cat Maiden
The gods were once disputing whether it was possible for a living being to change its nature. Jupiter said ‘Yes,’
but Venus said ‘No.’ So, to try the question,
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The Fox and the Mask
A Fox had by some means got into the store-room of a theatre. Suddenly he observed a face glaring down on him
and began to be very frightened;
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The Milkmaid and Her Pail
Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a Pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what she would do with the money
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The Ant and the Grasshopper
In a field one summer’s day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart’s content. An Ant
passed by, bearing along with great toil
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The Lion’s Share
The Lion went once a-hunting along with the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf. They hunted and they hunted till at last they surprised a Stag, and soon took its life.
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The Fisher
A Fisher once took his bagpipes to the bank of a river, and played upon them with the hope of making the fish rise; but never a one put his nose out of the water.
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The Fox and the Grapes
One hot summer’s day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch.
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The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
You must know that sometimes old women like a glass of wine. One of this sort once found a Wine-jar lying in the road, and eagerly went up to it hoping to find it full.
But when she took it up she found that all the wine had been drunk out of it. Still she took a long sniff at the
mouth of the...
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The Hart in the Ox-Stall
A Hart hotly pursued by the hounds fled for refuge into an ox-stall, and buried itself in a truss of hay, leaving
nothing to be seen but the tips of his
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