Reading Diary A: Aesop for Children (Winter)

(Aesop Fables Book cover)

Aesop for Children (Winter)



1. The Wolf and the Kid: Kid thinks he’s a billy goat. Flock is heading home and he doesn’t listen to his mother when she tells him to come on. When he finally started paying attention, the flock was gone. The kid got spooked and took off running and bleating for his mother and runs into a wolf. The kid asked the wolf to strike up music so he can dance and be happy until he dies. The shepherd dogs heard the wolf’s song and took off after him. The wolf ran away and “called himself a fool for turning piper to please a Kid, when he should have stuck to his butcher’s trade. I like this story because the Kid doesn't really have a chance to live but he gets to live because he thinks clearly in a bad situation.

Moral: Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.



2. The Ass Carrying the Image: The Ass carries an Image and everyone is bowing down and in awe of the image. The Ass thinks it is for him and starts acting like a fool. The owner realizes what it is doing and puts him in his place. I really love this story. I think it is very easy for people to gloat and take credit for things around them that didn't really include them. It is a good lesson to remind us all to give credit where credit is due.

Moral: Do not take the credit yourself that is due to others.



3. The Lion and the Gnat: The gnat is bothering the lion. This upsets the gnat and then he stings the lion and the lion tries to attack the gnat but only ends up hurting himself. Proud of the what he has done, the gnat flies off to boast to everyone only to end up in a spider’s web. I like this story because of the double whammy at the end. You learn a lesson from the lion and from the gnat.

Morals: The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.

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Pride over a success should not throw us off our guard.

4. The Leap of Rhodes: A man traveled to foreign places and always bragged about all he had done abroad. He is specifically bragging about this great jump he had made and how no one else could. He said if they went to Rhodes anyone would vouch for him. Someone in the crowd told him to just do it here so they could see. This is another story that I feel like people need to read. It basically reminds you to shut up and stop talking and start doing. Actions impress people, not words.

Moral: Deeds count, not boasting words.



5. The Farmer and the Stork: The stork was invited to a Crane party. Turns out the Cranes are stealing things. They all get caught by the farmer and the farmer tells the Stork tough luck and that he should keep better company. Oh my goodness this is so relevant. I tell my younger siblings to watch the company they keep all the time. You may be the nicest person in the world, but if you run around with jerks that is what most people will think you are.

Moral: You are judged by the company you keep.