Category Archives: AESOP TALES
63.The Cat and the Cock
A CAT caught a cock, and pondered how he might find a reasonable excuse for eating him. He accused him of being a nuisance to men by crowing in the night-time and not permitting them to sleep. The cock defended himself by saying that he did this for the benefit of men, that they might rise in time for their labours. The cat replied,
“Although you abound in specious apologies, I shall not remain supperless”; and he made a meal of him.
❖ Beasts do not need excuses for killing and eating others.
62.The Cat and the Birds
A CAT, hearing that the birds in a certain aviary were ailing, dressed himself up as a physician, and, taking his cane and a bag of instruments becoming his profession, went to call on them. He knocked at the door and asked of the inmates how they all did, saying that if they were ill, he would be happy to prescribe for them and cure them. They replied,
“We are all very well, and shall continue so, if you will only be good enough to go away, and leave us as we are.”
❖ Fond of doctors, little health.
❖ A human should be realistic to enter circumstances and settings that conform to his nature. There he may rise to sing happily for quite a while.
61.The Cat and Lady Love
A CAT fell in love with a handsome young man, and begged Lady Love to change her into the form of a woman. Lady Love agreed to her request and transformed her into a beautiful damsel, so that the youth saw her and loved her, and took her home as his bride.
While the two were reclining in their chamber, Lady Love wishing to discover if the cat in her change of shape had also altered her habits of life, let down a mouse in the middle of the room. The cat, quite forgetting her present condition, started up from the couch and pursued the mouse, wishing to eat it.
Lady Love was much disappointed and again caused her to return to her former shape.
❖ Nature exceeds nurture.
60.The Camel
WHEN MAN first saw the camel, he was so frightened at his large size that he ran away. After a time, perceiving that the beast was really meek and quite gentle, he summoned courage enough to approach him. Soon afterwards he found out he could domesticate the animal, and felt bold enough to put a bridle in his mouth, and to let a child drive him.
❖ Use serves to overcome dread, for good or bad.
