Aesop stories

It is believed that the man called 'Aesop' lived during the sixth century BC, scholars have narrowed down his birthplace to a few different places but no one knows for sure. He was born a slave, and in his lifetime two different masters owned him before being granted his freedom. The slave masters were named, Xanthus and Iadmon, the latter gave him his freedom as a reward for his wit and intelligence. As a freedman he supposedly became involved in public affairs and traveled a lot—telling his fables along the way. King Croesus of Lydia was so impressed with Aesop that he offered him residency and a job at his court.

The popularity of Aesop is also shown by the fact that Plato records that Socrates decided to versify some of his fables while he was in jail awaiting execution.

Here are some of Aesop’s Fables.

• A Cartload of Almonds

• Boar with Foresight

• Defeated by Pride

• Fox in Cart

• Foxy Rooster

• Hanging Together

• Last Boast

• Monkey Business

• Pale Hunter

• Plane Truth

• Running with Herd

• Speedy Rabbit

• The Ailing Deer

• The Clever Sheep

• The Foolish Dog

• The Foolish Donkey

• The Oil Lamp Humbled

• The Sea pleads helplessness

• The Unseen Enemy

• Timidity