The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham A Shipwrecked Man cast up on the beach fell asleep after his struggle with the waves. When he woke up, he bitterly reproached the Sea for its treachery in enticing men with its smooth and smiling surface, and then, when they were well embarked,...

The Moon and Her Mother

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham The Moon once begged her Mother to make her a gown. “How can I?” replied she; “there’s no fitting your figure. At one time you’re a New Moon, and at another you’re a Full Moon; and between whiles you’re...

The Crab and His Mother

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham An Old Crab said to her son, “Why do you walk sideways like that, my son? You ought to walk straight.” The Young Crab replied, “Show me how, dear mother, and I’ll follow your example.” The Old Crab tried, but tried...

The Quack Frog

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham Once upon a time a Frog came forth from his home in the marshes and proclaimed to all the world that he was a learned physician, skilled in drugs and able to cure all diseases. Among the crowd was a Fox, who called out, “You a doctor!...

Venus and the Cat

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham A Cat fell in love with a handsome young man, and begged the goddess Venus to change her into a woman. Venus was very gracious about it, and changed her at once into a beautiful maiden, whom the young man fell in love with at first sight and...

The Two Pots

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham Two Pots, one of earthenware and the other of brass, were carried away down a river in flood. The Brazen Pot urged his companion to keep close by his side, and he would protect him. The other thanked him, but begged him not to come near him on...

The Travellers and the Plane Tree

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham Two Travellers were walking along a bare and dusty road in the heat of a summer’s day. Coming presently to a Plane-tree, they joyfully turned aside to shelter from the burning rays of the sun in the deep shade of its spreading branches....

The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham The Lion, for all his size and strength, and his sharp teeth and claws, is a coward in one thing: he can’t bear the sound of a cock crowing, and runs away whenever he hears it. He complained bitterly to Jupiter for making him like that;...

The Gnat and the Lion

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham A Gnat once went up to a Lion and said, “I am not in the least afraid of you: I don’t even allow that you are a match for me in strength. What does your strength amount to after all? That you can scratch with your claws and bite with...

The Fir-Tree and the Bramble

One of Aesop’s Fables Illustrated by Arthur Rackham A Fir-tree was boasting to a Bramble, and said, somewhat contemptuously, “You poor creature, you are of no use whatever. Now, look at me: I am useful for all sorts of things, particularly when men build houses; they can’t do without me...