Category Archives: AESOP TALES
188.The Huntsman and the Fisherman
A HUNTSMAN, returning with his dogs from the field, fell in by chance with a fisherman who was bringing home a basket well laden with fish. The huntsman wished to have the fish, and their owner experienced an equal longing for the contents of the game-bag. They quickly agreed to exchange the produce of their day’s sport.
Each was so well pleased with his bargain that they made for some time the same exchange day after day. Finally a neighbor said to them,
“If you go on in this way, you will soon destroy by frequent use the pleasure of your exchange, and each will again wish to retain the fruits of his own sport.”
❖ Abstain and enjoy.
187.The Hunter and the Woodman
A HUNTER, not very bold, was searching for the tracks of a lion. He asked a man felling oaks in the forest if he had seen any marks of his footsteps or knew where his lair was.
“I will,” said the man, “at once show you the lion himself.”
The hunter, turning very pale and chattering with his teeth from fear, replied,
“No, thank you. I did not ask that; it is his track only I am in search of, not the lion himself.”
❖ The hero is brave in deeds as well as words.
186.The Hunter and the Horseman
A CERTAIN HUNTER, having snared a hare, placed it on his shoulders and set out homewards. On his way he met a man on horseback who begged the hare of him, under the pretence of purchasing it. However, when the horseman got the hare, he rode off as fast as he could. The hunter ran after him, as if he was sure of overtaking him, but the horseman increased more and more the distance between them. The hunter, sorely against his will, called out to him and said,
“Get along with you! for I will now make you a present of the hare.”
❖ One has to take advantage of the time to rest too.
❖ There is a time of calm approaching, when that works best.
185.The Hunted Beaver
The stones of the beaver was once thought to be of use in medicine, and the animal was often hunted on that account. A shrewd old fellow of the race, being hard pressed by the dogs, and knowing well why they were after him, had the resolution and the presence of mind to bite off his stones and leave them behind him, and thus escaped with his life.
The skin is nearer than the cloak.
