The hares, having assembled one day, were bewailing among themselves how precarious and fearful their lives were: were they not indeed the prey of men, dogs, eagles, and many other animals? Better, then, to perish once and for all than to live in terror. Having taken this resolve, they rushed all together towards the pond, to throw themselves in and drown. But the frogs, squatting around the pond, no sooner heard the noise of their running than they leapt into the water. Then one of the hares, who seemed sharper than the rest, said, "Stop, comrades; do yourselves no harm; for, as you have just seen, there are creatures even more fearful than we are."
The unfortunate take comfort in seeing others who are even worse off.
Nº 9The Nightingale and the SwallowA swallow urged the nightingale to come and nest under the eaves of houses, among people, as she herself did. But the nightingale refused, saying…Read the fable →
Nº 75The Canary and the BatA canary in a cage hung at a window used to sing during the night. A bat heard her voice from afar and, coming near, asked why she kept silent by day…Read the fable →
Nº 78The Old Man and DeathOne day, after cutting some wood, an old man loaded it on his back. He had a long way to go. Worn out by the walk, he set down his burden and called…Read the fable →