Ever wondered what the most popular fables are? Well, we've done our research and determined that, insofar as English literature goes, these are most popular English fables. (We won't comment on other languages. But we might do a future post on that subject.)
"The Tortoise and the Hare": This classic fable teaches us the importance of perseverance and steady progress. It tells the story of a slow but determined tortoise who wins a race against a swift but overconfident hare.
"The Lion and the Mouse": In this fable, a tiny mouse demonstrates the power of kindness and gratitude. After being spared by a lion, the mouse later helps free the lion from a trap, showing that even small acts of kindness can have significant consequences.
"The Boy Who Cried Wolf": A cautionary tale about the consequences of lying, this fable follows a young shepherd boy who repeatedly tricks the villagers into thinking there's a wolf attacking his flock. When a real wolf appears and the boy cries for help, no one believes him, and the moral of the story emphasizes the importance of honesty.
"The Ant and the Grasshopper": This fable contrasts the industriousness of the ant with the laziness of the grasshopper. As the ant diligently prepares for winter, the grasshopper wastes time and faces hardship when food becomes scarce. The moral underscores the value of hard work and planning for the future.
"The Fox and the Grapes": A fox's desire for unreachable grapes leads to a display of sour grapes, as it convinces itself that the grapes were probably sour anyway. This fable cautions against making excuses when we are unable to attain something we desire, highlighting the danger of sour grapes attitudes.
"The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs": This fable revolves around a farmer who discovers a goose that lays golden eggs. In his greed for quick wealth, the farmer kills the goose, only to find that there are no more golden eggs. The moral of the story warns against sacrificing long-term benefits for short-term gains.
"The Boy and the Filberts": A young boy puts his hand into a jar filled with filberts (hazelnuts) but grabs too many to withdraw his hand. Instead of letting go of some to free his hand, he remains trapped until he learns the virtue of moderation. This fable teaches the importance of self-control and avoiding greed.
"The Wind and the Sun": In this fable, the wind and the sun compete to see who can remove a traveler's coat. The wind uses force, but the more gentle and warm sun succeeds by persuasion. The story emphasizes the power of kindness and gentleness over force and aggression.
"The Dog and Its Reflection": A dog carrying a bone across a bridge sees its reflection in the water below and assumes the other dog has a larger bone. In its greed to have both bones, it drops the bone it had, only to realize it was merely a reflection. This fable warns against being greedy and losing what one already has.
"The Boy Who Became a Star": A lesser-known fable, it tells the story of a young boy who wished to become a star. Through determination and hard work, he becomes a renowned astronomer, teaching us that dreams can be achieved with persistence and dedication.
Summary:
These popular fables in English literature impart valuable moral lessons through imaginative storytelling. Whether it's about perseverance, honesty, hard work, moderation, or kindness, these fables continue to resonate with readers of all ages, teaching timeless lessons that are still relevant in today's world.
Want to read more "modern fables"? Check out Charles Moffat's Fables set in the fictional kingdom of Korovia. After all, why should we just accept the fables of the past when we can continue making new fables?
