Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

21446

Title

Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A timeless collection of classic fables in prose and verse, featuring timeless tales of animals like foxes, lions, and frogs. Illustrated by Harrison Weir, this volume offers enduring moral lessons on justice, humility, and human nature.

Summary up to 500 words

Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse presents a rich anthology of animal stories designed to instruct and entertain. The collection opens with the cunning Fox and the Goat, who learns that rogues will betray friends to escape trouble. In The Frog and the Ox, a vain frog attempts to rival a mighty ox, only to burst and perish, teaching that ambition beyond one's station leads to ruin. Other notable tales include The Man and His Goose, where greed destroys the golden egg-laying goose, and The Lion and Other Beasts, illustrating how power often corrupts justice. The Dove and the Ant demonstrates the reciprocal nature of kindness, while The Fox without a Tail satirizes those who wish to impose their own flaws on others. The Butterfly and the Snail contrasts fleeting beauty with humble endurance. Throughout the book, characters like the Wolf, the Lion, and the Fox navigate complex social dynamics, often revealing the hypocrisy of those who claim virtue while acting otherwise. The collection also explores themes of unity versus division, as seen when jealous bulls are easily defeated by a lion, and the dangers of imitation, where a jackdaw attempting to act like an eagle meets a tragic end. Each story concludes with a clear moral, guiding readers to reflect on their own conduct, the importance of moderation, and the reality that true worth lies within rather than in outward appearance. The volume features twenty-four illustrations by Harrison Weir, enhancing the visual appeal of these timeless narratives. From the Wolf in Sheep's Clothing to the Crow and the Pitcher, the fables offer practical wisdom on justice, necessity, and self-knowledge. The stories collectively warn against envy, intemperance, and false pride, while celebrating the virtues of modesty, industry, and mutual aid. By personifying animals, the author creates a vivid world where human follies are exposed through the actions of beasts, making the lessons accessible and memorable for all ages.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Fables