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The Fox and the Grapes
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…
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Panchatantra Stories
The Panchatantra contains the most widely known stories in the world. It consists of five books of animal fables and magic tales. Each of the five book is independent, consisting of a framing story with numerous inserted stories told by one or another of the characters in the main story. We have made the following…
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The Wolves and the Sheep by Aesop
A pack of Wolves lurked near the Sheep pasture. But the Dogs kept them all at a respectful distance, and the Sheep grazed in perfect safety. But now the Wolves thought of a plan to trick the Sheep. “Why is there always this hostility between us?” they said. “If it were not for those Dogs…
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The Hare and His Ears by Aesop
The Lion had been badly hurt by the horns of a Goat, which he was eating. He was very angry to think that any animal that he chose for a meal, should be so brazen as to wear such dangerous things as horns to scratch him while he ate. So he commanded that all animals…
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The Fox and the Monkey by Aesop
At a great meeting of the Animals, who had gathered to elect a new ruler, the Monkey was asked to dance. This he did so well, with a thousand funny capers and grimaces, that the Animals were carried entirely off their feet with enthusiasm, and then and there, elected him their king. The Fox did…
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The Mole and his Mother by Aesop
A little Mole once said to his Mother: “Why, Mother, you said I was blind! But I am sure I can see!” Mother Mole saw she would have to get such conceit out of his head. So she put a bit of frankincense before him and asked him to tell what it was. The little…
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The Fisherman and the Little Fish by Aesop
A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck one day and caught nothing but a very small fry. The Fisherman was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish said: “Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman! I am so small it is not worth while to carry me…
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The Lion’s Share by Aesop
A long time ago, the Lion, the Fox, the Jackal, and the Wolf agreed to go hunting together, sharing with each other whatever they found. One day the Wolf ran down a Stag and immediately called his comrades to divide the spoil. Without being asked, the Lion placed himself at the head of the feast…
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The Ass in the Lion’s Skin by Aesop
An Ass found a Lion’s skin left in the forest by a hunter. He dressed himself in it, and amused himself by hiding in a thicket and rushing out suddenly at the animals who passed that way. All took to their heels the moment they saw him. The Ass was so pleased to see the…
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The Fox and the Cock by Aesop
A Fox was caught in a trap one fine morning, because he had got too near the Farmer’s hen house. No doubt he was hungry, but that was not an excuse for stealing. A Cock, rising early, discovered what had happened. He knew the Fox could not get at him, so he went a little…