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.   So they held a meeting, and after a long discussion, decided to strike work till the Belly consented to take its proper share...

The Lion and the Mouse

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallow him.   ‘Pardon, O King,’ cried the little Mouse: ‘forgive me this time, I shall...

The Fox and the Crow

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, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.   ‘Good-day, Mistress Crow,’ he cried. ‘How well you...

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 friend and made him heartily welcome. Beans and bacon, cheese and bread, were all he had...