Fifty Famous Fables   By: Lida B. (Lida Brown) McMurry (1853-1942)

BY LIDA BROWN McMURRY

PRIMARY CRITIC TEACHER STATE NORMAL SCHOOL, DE KALB, ILLINOIS

B. F. JOHNSON PUBLISHING COMPANY

PREFACE

The fifty fables in this book have been selected for second grade reading because they are easily comprehended by pupils of that grade, and because they teach lessons which every child should learn.

It is not wise to tell the class the moral application of the fables. It is better to have each pupil make his own application without any suggestion from the teacher.

In adapting the stories the conversational form has been largely used; this form not only gives much pleasure to the children, but it also affords excellent opportunities for voice culture.

Most of the stories have been successfully used for several years with classes of children in the State Normal School at DeKalb.

CONTENTS

DESIRABILITY OF SELF CONTROL

1. THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS

RESULTS OF A MEAN JOKE

2. THE MOUSE AND THE FROG 3. THE BOYS AND THE FROGS 4. THE SHEPHERD BOY AND THE WOLF

FOLLY OF QUARRELING

5. THE TWO GOATS 6. THE STRIKE OF THE MILL FEEDERS 7. THE FARMER AND HIS SONS 8. THE FOUR OXEN AND THE LION

DEEDS BETTER THAN WORDS

9. THE HUNTER AND THE FARMER 10. THE FOX IN THE WELL 11. THE MICE IN COUNCIL

FOLLY OF PRIDE

12. THE FOX AND THE CROW 13. THE VAIN CROW 14. THE HORSE AND THE LOADED DONKEY 15. THE LEAVES AND THE ROOTS 16. THE BULL AND THE GNAT

WISDOM OF HEEDING GOOD ADVICE

17. THE FARMER AND HIS THREE SONS 18. THE YOUNG FOX 19. VISIT OF THE MOUSE TO THE COUNTRY 20. THE TWO DOVES

BASENESS OF DECEIT

21. THE HORSE AND THE WOLF 22. THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT 23. THE BEES, THE DRONES, AND THE WASP 24. THE WOODMAN AND HIS AXE 25. THE FOX WITH HIS TAIL CUT OFF 26. THE BLACKBIRD AND THE DOVE

RESULTS OF GREEDINESS

27. THE GREEDY DOG 28. THE GOOSE THAT LAID GOLD EGGS

DESIRABILITY OF CONTENTMENT

29. THE DONKEY AND HIS MASTERS 30. THE COBBLER AND THE RICH MAN

VALUE OF THINKING FOR ONESELF

31. THE ICE KING 32. THE WOLF, THE GOAT, AND THE KID 33. THE WISE GOAT 34. THE SHEPHERD AND THE DOGS 35. THE BOY AND THE NUTS 36. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER 37. THE GROCER AND HIS DONKEY 38. THE THREE FISH

WISDOM OF SELF RELIANCE

39. THE WAGONER 40. THE LARK AND THE FARMER

KINDNESS AND ITS RESULTS

41. THE LION AND THE MOUSE 42. THE ANT AND THE DOVE 43. THE HAPPY FAMILY 44. THE TYRANT WHO BECAME A JUST RULER

MISCELLANEOUS

WISDOM OF PERSEVERANCE

45. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE

FOLLY OF TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYBODY

46. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THEIR DONKEY

APPEARANCES SOMETIMES DECEITFUL

47. THE PUG DOG AND HIS SHADOW

PUNISHMENT OF TREACHERY

48. THE PARTRIDGE IN THE NET

GENTLENESS BETTER THAN HARSHNESS

49. THE NORTH WIND AND THE SUN

MEANNESS OF SELFISHNESS

50. THE CAMEL AND HIS MASTER

FIFTY FAMOUS FABLES

THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS

"Take me with you, please," called a tortoise to a gray duck and a white duck that were flying over.

The ducks heard the tortoise and flew down toward him.

"Do you really wish to go with us?" asked the ducks as they came to the ground near the tortoise.

"I surely do," replied the tortoise. "Will you please take me?"

"Why, yes, I think we can do so," said the white duck slowly.

The two ducks talked together in low tones for a few minutes. Then they flew to the woods. They soon brought back a strong twig and dropped it in front of the tortoise.

"Now," said the ducks, "if we take you off to see the world, you must promise us one thing."

"What is that?" asked the tortoise. "I will promise almost anything if you will let me go."

"You must promise not to say one word while you are in the air, NOT ONE WORD," replied the ducks.