Here are 15 of the most read, most popular and most loved Aesop’s fables. Ideal to read to your child at bedtime and also as moral stories.
1. The Wind and the Sun – An Aesop’s Fable
There was once an argument between the wind and the sun about who was stronger than the other. They argued for a long time but neither of them emerged the winner. It wasn’t too long before they spotted a man walking on the road. Looking at the man wearing a coat, an idea struck them both.
They challenged each other that the one who succeeded in removing the coat from the man’s back was the strongest.
The wind volunteered to try first. It began to blow hard, raising gusts of air and making it harder for the man to take a step further.
But, the man clutched his coat tight around him and resumed walking with great difficulty.
The wind continued blowing harder and harder, but the man held on to his coat tighter and tighter. And continued his journey forward. Finally, the wind was exhausted and gave up. His efforts had been futile.
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It was now the turn of the sun. He looked at the man and began to gently shine upon the path the man was walking on.
The man looked up at the sky – surprised at the change in weather.
The sun did not spend much energy, neither did he apply any effort. He just continued shining upon the man’s head gently.
Soon the man was huffing and puffing, and sweating profusely.
Unable to bear the rising heat, the man finally took off his coat and headed to a nearby tree to rest for a while under its shade.
Moral: Sometimes gentle persuasion is mightier than the strongest force.
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Boy Who Cried Wolf
2. The Boy Who Cried Wolf – An Aesop’s Fable
Once there was a boy who kept sheep. Every morning, he would take his sheep and head out to the pastures just outside the village. The sheep would graze there and the boy would idle his time in the shade of an apple tree.
Often, when he would get bored of snoring under the tree, or eating apples from it, he would climb up to the top of the tree and call out in a loud voice, “Wolf! Wolf!”
The villagers would drop everything they were doing. And they would run to the pastures to help the boy save his sheep from the wolf’s sharp teeth. Once they arrived there, the boy would laugh and call out, “Tricked you!” The wicked, little boy would play this joke everyday until one day, the villagers got tired of him and decided to ignore him in the future.
One day, as the boy sat eating apples on one of the branches of the tree, a wolf did come into the pasture. The wolf saw the large herd of sheep and jumped right into the midst of it.
The boy shouted in fear, “Wolf! Wolf!”
The villagers heard his cries and nodded to each other.
“There goes the boy with his pranks again”, said one villager.
“Oh! But we will not be tricked by him again, will we?!” replied another.
The villagers went about their work as usual, ignoring the boy’s cries.
The boy saw the wolf eat up his sheep. He ran to the villagers calling them to come and help him. But the villagers just scowled at him and went about their business.
The boy ran back to the pasture. But the wolf had already killed most of his sheep, finishing a hearty meal.
Moral: One seldom believes a liar, even when he is telling the truth.
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Ass and The Mule
3. Aesop’s Fables: The Ass and The Mule
A Muleteer set forth on a journey along with his ass and mule, both laden with provisions for the journey and wares. The ass traveled the plains with ease, carrying his burden happily. But when they began to ascend the steep paths of the mountains, he felt unable to bear the load.
He requested his companion, the mule, to relieve him of a small portion of his burden, but the mule paid no attention to his entreaties. The ass soon fell down dead under the load.
Not seeing anyone around, the muleteer skinned the ass, and placed its hide, along with the load it was carrying on the mule’s back.
The mule, groaning under the heavy load, said to himself, “I have got what I deserved. If only I had been willing to help the ass in his need, I would not be bearing this additional burden and would also have a companion.
Prevention is indeed, better than cure.”
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Hare and The Tortoise
4. The Hare and The Tortoise – An Aesop’s Fable
There was once a Hare who always bragged about how fast he could run. Tired of his boasting, all the animals got together and told the Hare to pick an animal with whom he would have to race. If he won, he could continue to boast to the animals of not just this forest, but the surrounding ones as well. But if he lost, he would not utter a single word about his speed, to anyone ever again.
The Hare agreed. He had seen that the Tortoise was slow at walking. So he decided to race against the Tortoise.
All the animals gathered to watch the race as they were curious to know the outcome. They marked a winding path down the forest for the race.
The Hare ran for a while, then paused and looked back. The Tortoise was way behind him.
He thought he would sit down and rest a while, while the Tortoise caught up. He stretched out in the shade of a tree, and ‘Lo! fell fast asleep.
The Tortoise, in the meanwhile, steadily walked and walked and walked. He never stopped until he reached the finishing line.
The animals who were watching the race, cheered loudly for the Tortoise. The sound woke up the Hare. He stretched and started running again. But it was too late. The Tortoise had already crossed the finish line.
Moral: Slow and steady wins the race.
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Ant and The Grasshopper
5. The Ant and The Grasshopper – An Aesop’s Fable
One summer day, a grasshopper was hopping about, playing his fiddle, chirping and singing to his heart’s content. An ant passed by him, bent under the load of a grain of rice that he was carrying.
“My dear ant! Put down your weary load. Look, what a bright, sunny day it is! Come and sing with me instead of toiling away”, said the grasshopper.
“I am helping to store away food for the winter, ” said the ant. “And I advice you to do the same, my friend.”
“Why bother about the winter?” replied the grasshopper. “There is still plenty of time, and we have plenty of food for the present.”
“As you wish”, said the ant and continued on its way.
When the winter came, the grasshopper had no food. Everything was covered in snow, and he found himself dying of hunger. He wandered around and came upon the ants, who were distributing corn and grain that they had collected in the summer. Then the grasshopper knew “It is always best to prepare for future days of necessity.”
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Lamb and The Wolf
6. The Lamb and The Wolf – An Aesop’s Fable
A lamb was returning alone from the pasture. Seeing him unprotected, a wolf started following him with the intent of eating him. The lamb realized that he could not escape. He turned around to face the wolf and said, “I know, friend wolf, that I must be your prey. But before I die, I would ask one favor of you. Will you play a tune so I may dance.”
The wolf complied and started playing. The lamb started dancing. Some hounds heard the sound of the pipe and ran up to the wolf and started chasing him.
The wolf realized he had been tricked. Turning to the lamb, he said, “I have got what I deserve. For I, who am only a butcher should not have turned piper to please you.”
“In time of dire need, clever thinking is key”.
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Click Next To Read Next Story – The Crow and The Fox
7. The Crow and The Fox – An Aesop’s Fable
Once a big, black hungry crow was flying around looking for food. He came across a big piece of bread lying on the ground and picked it up in his beak. He then flew to a tree nearby and perched on its branch. He looked forward to eating the bread.
A fox passing by, saw the crow perched on the tree with the bread in his beak.
The fox thought to himself, “Mmmmm. That bread looks so tasty. I have to find a way to get it from the crow.”
The fox walked up to the tree and said, “Oh crow, you are looking so handsome today. Your feathers are so glossy and sparkling. You look like the king of the birds. I am sure your voice is as majestic as your presence.”
The crow was pleased to hear his praise. But he could not say a word because of the bread in his beak.
The fox continued, “Oh king of the birds! Do let me have the pleasure of hearing you sing. I will be the most blessed fox.”
The crow, who had never heard such praise, could no longer control himself.
He stretched his neck, raised his head to the sky and began to caw loudly.
And…
Down fell the bread right into the waiting fox’s mouth.
The crow was left cawing while the fox gobbled up the bread.
Moral: Beware of flattery.
Click Next To Read Next Story – The Grapes Are Sour
8. The Grapes Are Sour – The Fox And The Grapes – An Aesop’s Fable
Once a fox was walking through a vineyard. He was very hungry.
His mouth started watering looking upon a particularly ripe bunch of grapes hanging high on a vine.
He leaped up high in the air with all his strength. But was not able to reach the grapes. He tried again. And again. But each time in vain.
He finally took a long, hard look at the grapes and remarked, “These grapes are not even ripe yet.”
And walked away.
Click Next To Read Next Story – The Ant and The Dove
9. The Ant and The Dove – An Aesop’s Fable
Once an ant was drinking water at the bank of a river. Suddenly a huge wave lapped at him and he fell into the water. The tiny could not swim against the strong current and reach the shore.
A dove sitting in a tree near the river bank saw the ant struggling in the water. The dove plucked a leaf from the tree, flew over to where the ant was and threw the leaf into the water.
The ant climbed on to the leaf and floated safely to the river bank.
Shortly afterwards, a bird-catcher came to the river to catch birds. He laid out a net and started spreading twigs and grains on the net.
The ant watched the bird-catcher and understood his intentions. He crawled up to the bird-catcher and stung him the foot.
The bird-catcher cried out loudly in pain. The dove heard the bird-catcher and flew away to safety.
Moral: A good deed never goes unnoticed.
Click Next To Read Next Story – The Bowman and The Lion
10. The Bowman and The Lion – An Aesop’s Fable
Once a huntsman went into the forest with his bow and arrow looking for game.
All the beasts and birds of the animals saw the weapon in his hands and fled at his sight. The lion, however, told the animals not to be afraid as he would challenge the huntsman.
He stood in front of the huntsman and prepared to attack him.
The huntsman, however, took out an arrow from his quiver and shot it into the lion’s side, with the message, “I sent to you my messenger. From him you may learn what I will be like when I attack you.”
The lion ran back into the forest. The fox who had seen all this happen, encouraged the lion to not give up.
The lion responded, “You counsel me in vain. For if the huntsman sends so fearful a messenger, how will I ever withstand an attack by the man himself?”
Moral: Always be careful of the enemy who attacks from a distance.
Click Next To Read Next Story – The Milkmaid and Her Pail
11. The Milkmaid and Her Pail – An Aesop’s Fable
Once a milkmaid was walking down the village path, carrying a pail of milk on her head. She was going from her farm to the village to sell this milk. As she walked down the path, she began to daydream.
“I will sell this pail of milk in the village. With the money I get, I should be able to buy at least three hundred eggs.
Of these three hundred eggs, at least two hundred will hatch into chickens. I will sell a hundred and fifty of these chickens in the market when the time is right. The remaining fifty will remain on my farm and grow up to lay more eggs.
With all this money I can buy a beautiful, new gown. I will wear this gown and go to the Christmas balls. All the young women will be so envious and all the young men would want to dance with me.
But I will not be so easy. I will toss my head and say no to everyone, until the Prince himself asks to dance with me.”
So saying, she tossed her head. Down fell the pail and out spilt all the milk.
Moral: Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.