Aesop Fable Theme Game by Ms. Pace

Fable #1

ms_pace — 2023-08-28 23:47:23 UTC

In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing felt as if he must die of thirst.

Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small pebbles, he dropped them into the pitcher one by one. With each pebble the water rose a little higher until at last it was near enough so he could drink.

Fable #2

ms_pace — 2023-08-28 23:48:17 UTC

A Fox one day 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.

Fable #3

ms_pace — 2023-08-28 23:49:04 UTC

A Dog, to whom the butcher had thrown a bone, was hurrying home with his prize as fast as he could go. As he crossed a narrow footbridge, he happened to look down and saw himself reflected in the quiet water as if in a mirror. But the greedy Dog thought he saw a real Dog carrying a bone much bigger than his own.

If he had stopped to think he would have known better. But instead of thinking, he dropped his bone and sprang at the Dog in the river, only to find himself swimming for dear life to reach the shore. At last he managed to scramble out, and as he stood sadly thinking about the good bone he had lost, he realized what a stupid Dog he had been.

Fable #4

ms_pace — 2023-08-28 23:51:32 UTC

A Bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened on a fallen tree in which 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 in an instant, 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.

Theme A

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:00:32 UTC

It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.

Theme B

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:01:04 UTC

There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.

Theme C

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:01:35 UTC

It is very foolish to be greedy.

Theme D

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:02:20 UTC

In a pinch a good use of our wits may help us out.

Picture 001

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:04:31 UTC

Picture 002

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:05:07 UTC

Picture 003

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:05:34 UTC

Picture 004

ms_pace — 2023-08-29 00:06:05 UTC

Theme E

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 16:55:55 UTC

Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.

Picture 005

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 16:56:18 UTC

Picture 006

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 17:19:30 UTC

Theme F

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 17:19:45 UTC

Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.

Fable #5

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 17:20:08 UTC

The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that Jupiter punished him so, because he was such a lazy stay-at-home that he would not go to Jupiter's wedding, even when especially invited.

After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along.

One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble.

"We can help you to see the world," said the Ducks. "Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry."

The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried:

"This must surely be the King of Tortoises!"

"Why certainly—" began the Tortoise.

But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.

Fable #6

ms_pace — 2024-10-02 17:20:28 UTC

There was once a Countryman who possessed the most wonderful Goose you can imagine, for every day when he visited the nest, the Goose had laid a beautiful, glittering, golden egg.

The Countryman took the eggs to market and soon began to get rich. But it was not long before he grew impatient with the Goose because she gave him only a single golden egg a day. He was not getting rich fast enough.

Then one day, after he had finished counting his money, the idea came to him that he could get all the golden eggs at once by killing the Goose and cutting it open. But when the deed was done, not a single golden egg did he find, and his precious Goose was dead.