Aesop - The Cock and the Fox

The Fox, passing early one summer's morning near a farm-yard, was caught in a springe, which the farmer had planted there for that end. The Cock,at a distance, saw what happened, and, hardly yet daring to trust himself too near so dangerous a foe, approached him cautiously, and peeped at him. Reynard addressed himself to him, with all the designing artifice imaginable. "Dear cousin," says he, "you see what an unfortunate accident has befallen me here, and all upon your account:for, as I was creeping through yonder hedge, in my way homeward, I heard you crow, and was resolved to ask you how you did before I went any farther; but I met with this disaster; and therefore now I must ask you for a knife to cut this string; or, at least, to conceal my misfortune till I have gnawed it asunder." The Cock, seeing how the case stood,made no reply, but posted away as fast as he could, and told the farmer,who came and killed the Fox.

To aid the vicious is to become a partner in their guilt

Aesop - The Boy Bathing

A Boy bathing in a river was in danger of being drowned. He called out to a traveler passing by for help. The traveler, instead of holding out a helping hand, stood up unconcernedly, and scolded the boy for his imprudence. "Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "pray help me now, and scold me afterwards."

Counsel, without help, is useless

Aesop - The Ass in the Lion's Skin

An Ass, having put on the Lion's skin, roamed about in the forest, and amused himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met within his wanderings. At last, meeting a Fox, he tried to frighten him also,but the Fox no sooner heard the sound of his voice, than he exclaimed:"I might possibly have been frightened myself, if I had not heard your bray."

No disguise will hide one's true character

Aesop - The Ass and the Grasshopper

An Ass, having heard some Grasshoppers chirping, was highly enchanted;and desiring to possess the same charms of melody, demanded what sort of food they lived on, to give them such beautiful voices. They replied:"The dew." The Ass resolved that he would live only upon dew, and in a short time died of hunger.

Where one may live, another may starve

Aesop - The Dancing Monkeys

A Prince had some Monkeys trained to dance. Being naturally great mimics of men's actions, they showed themselves most apt pupils; and when arrayed in their rich clothes and masks, they danced as well as any of the courtiers. The spectacle was often repeated with great applause,till on one occasion a courtier, bent on mischief, took from his pocket a handful of nuts, and threw them upon the stage. The Monkeys, at the sight of the nuts, forgot their dancing, and became (as indeed they were) Monkeys instead of actors, and pulling off their masks and tearing their robes, they fought with one another for the nuts. The dancing spectacle thus came to an end, amidst the laughter and ridicule of the audience.

They who assume a character will betray themselves by their actions

Aesop - The Three Tradesmen

A great city was besieged, and its inhabitants were called together to consider the best means of protecting it from the enemy. A Brick layer present earnestly recommended bricks, as affording the best materials for an effectual resistance. A Carpenter, with equal energy, proposed timber, as providing a preferable method of defense. Upon which a Currier stood up, and said: "Sirs, I differ from you altogether; there is no material for resistance equal to a covering of hides; and nothing so good as leather."

Every man for his trade