In Chapter 31, you learned how ancient Greek civilization
influences our lives today. Our language and literature
takes words and ideas from those of the ancient Greeks.
One individual who made a major impact on literature was
Aesop.
Aesop was born in ancient Greece around the year 620
B.C.E.
He is considered the founder of the fable. A fable is a
short tale. In ancient times, fables were used to explain
natural occurrences. Today they are used to teach lessons.
The fables of Aesop are some of the most well known.
Below are three of Aesop’s fables. The first is about
a race between two supposedly mismatched competitors. The
second describes an unlikely friendship between a lion
and a mouse. And the third tells the story of a greedy
farmer and his goose. As you read them, think about these
questions: What are the lessons each fable teaches? Where
have you heard similar stories?
The Hare and the Tortoise
A Hare one day ridiculed [made fun of] the short feet and
slow pace of the Tortoise, who replied, laughing: “Though
you be swift as the wind, I will beat you in a race.” The
Hare, believing her assertion [claim] to be simply impossible,
assented [agreed] to the proposal; and they agreed that
the Fox should choose the course and fix the goal. On
the day appointed for the race, the two started together.
The
Tortoise never for a moment stopped, but went on with
a slow but steady pace straight to the end of the course.
The Hare, lying down by the wayside, fell fast asleep.
At last waking up, and moving as fast as he could, he
saw
the Tortoise had reached the goal, and was comfortably
dozing after her fatigue. Slow but steady wins the race.
The Lion and the Mouse
Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running
up and down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion,
who placed his huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws
to swallow
him. “Pardon, O King,” cried the little
Mouse: “forgive
me this time, I shall never forget it: who knows
but what I may be able to do you a turn some of these
days?” The
Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being
able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let
him go. Some
time after, the Lion was caught in a trap, and the
hunters, who desired to carry him alive to the King,
tied him to
a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry
him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass
by, and
seeing the sad plight [condition] in which the Lion
was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes
that bound
the King of the Beasts. “Was I not right?” said the little Mouse. Little friends may prove great friends.
The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose
found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When
he took
it up it was as heavy as lead and he was going to throw
it
away, because he thought a trick had been played upon
him. But he took it home on second thoughts, and soon
found
to his delight that it was an egg of pure gold. Every
morning the same thing occurred, and he soon became
rich by selling
his eggs. As he grew rich he grew greedy; and thinking
to get at once all the gold the Goose could give, he
killed it and opened it only to find nothing. Those
who want too
much may end up with nothing.
Investigating Literature
Many
children today learn the fables of Aesop to hear their
lessons. Write a book review for a collection of Aesop’s
fables. Your book review should include
|
| • |
a
brief description of what a fable is and where it came from. |
| • |
a
summary of one of Aesop’s fables, including a quote. |
| • |
your response to
these questions: Are Aesop’s fables an effective way
to teach children important life lessons? Do you feel that
the lessons Aesop identified are important? Explain your
response by using examples from the three fables. |
| • |
correct grammar
and spelling. |
History Alive! The Ancient World, Investigating Literature
