AESOP'S FABLES - online children's book

300 favourite fables with illustrations by Arthur Rackham

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THE LIONESS AND THE VIXEN
A LIONESS and a Vixen were talking together about their young, as mothers will, and saying how healthy and wellgrown they were, and what beautiful coats they had, and how they were the image of their parents. ' My litter of cubs is a joy to see," said the Fox ; and then she added, rather maliciously, " But I notice you never have more than one." ' No," said the Lioness grimly, " but that one's a lion."
Quality, not quantity.
THE VIPER AND THE FILE
A VIPER entered a carpenter's shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get any­thing from me, who invariably take from every one and never give anything in return."
The covetous are poor givers.
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