the fox and the goat

7/29/2019 The Fox and the Goat

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THE FOX AND THE GOATA FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat,overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish

praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him

to descend.The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank,the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. If, said he, you will place your forefeet upon the wall and

bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards.The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back.Steadying himself with the Goats horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well andmade off as fast as he could.When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and criedout, You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you havehairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected theway up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.

Look before you leap.


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THE ASS AND THE LAPDOG

A MAN HAD AN ASS, and a Maltese Lapdog, a very great beauty. The Ass was leftin a stable and had plenty of oats and hay to eat, just as any other Ass would. TheLapdog knew many tricks and was a great favorite with his master, who often fondled

him and seldom went out to dine without bringing him home some tidbit to eat.The Ass, on the contrary, had much work to do in grinding the corn-mill and incarrying wood from the forest or burdens from the farm. He often lamented his ownhard fate and contrasted it with the luxury and idleness of the Lapdog, till at last oneday he broke his cords and halter, and galloped into his masters house, kicking up hisheels without measure, and frisking and fawning as well as he could. He next tried to

jump about his master as he had seen the Lapdog do, but he broke the table andsmashed all the dishes upon it to atoms. He then attempted to lick his master, and

jumped upon his back. The servants, hearing the strange hubbub and perceiving thedanger of their master, quickly relieved him, and drove out the Ass to his stable withkicks and clubs and cuffs. The Ass, as he returned to his stall beaten nearly to death,thus lamented:I have brought it all on myself! Why could I not have been contented to labor withmy companions, and not wish to be idle all the day like that useless little Lapdog!


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THE MICE AND THE WEASELSTHE WEASELS and the Mice waged a perpetual war with each other, in which much

blood was shed. The Weasels were always the victors.The Mice thought that the cause of their frequent defeats was that they had no leadersset apart from the general army to command them, and that they were exposed to

dangers from lack of discipline. They therefore chose as leaders Mice that were mostrenowned for their family descent, strength, and counsel, as well as those most notedfor their courage in the fight, so that they might be better marshaled in battle array andformed into troops, regiments, and battalions. When all this was done, and the armydisciplined, and the herald Mouse had duly proclaimed war by challenging theWeasels, the newly chosen generals bound their heads with straws, that they might bemore conspicuous to all their troops.Scarcely had the battle begun, when a great rout overwhelmed theMice, who scampered off as fast as they could to their holes. The generals, not beingable to get in on account of the ornaments on their heads, were all captured and eaten

by the Weasels.

The more honor the more danger.


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4 The Short and Ugly Son

ad| narrates: A king had several sons, one of them being short, thin and ugly, whilethe others were tall and good-looking.The king would look at the short son with scorn and contempt, thereby causing him

humiliation. The son, being intelligent, realized why his father looked down upon himand so said to him: O Father!A short but wise person is better than a tall but ignorant one. He who is taller is notnecessarily better and superior; a sheep is clean but an elephant, like a carcass, always

possess a foul smell.The sons words made the king laugh and the elders of the court approved of what hesaid, but his brothers were upset.Coincidentally, during those days, it so happened that the enemy forces attacked thekingdom and the first person from the kings army to heroically attack the enemy wasthe kings short and ugly son. With a display of great courage, he felled a few of theenemy chiefs and then, returning to his father and paying his respects to him, said:On the day of battle the lean horse comes of use.Despite the fact that a group of his soldiers had taken flight, the son returned to the

battlefield.O Men! Endeavour hard or else put on the dress of womenfolk, he shouted with

bitter sarcasm.This sarcasm breathed fresh life into the cavalry who fought with renewed vigour tillthey eventually overcame the enemy forces and became victorious. The king kissedhis son all over the face and named him his successor. From then on, he looked at thisson with great respect and esteem. These events caused his brothers to become soenvious of him that they put poison into his food in order to get rid of him.Fortunately, his sister watched what was happening through a small door and sent awarning signal to her brother by shutting the door loudly. The intelligent brother

became suspicious and abstained from eating the food.It is impossible for skilled people to die while the unskilled ones continue to live onand take their place, he commented.When the king was informed of the incident, he reprimanded the other brothers andsent each of them to the farthest part of his kingdom.


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Wake up late(Sh, Bobo Magazine no. 18, 1983 translated by Yeffry HP)

This day Gobis behaviour is very strange. He shouts noisily like a mistune trumpet.His feet kick the ground and make unhappy noise. He grasps the sand and throws it to

the air. Koli , his elephant neighbour feel worry, He wonders what has going on withGobi. Everyone knew Gobi as a friendly and cheerful elephant.

"Auw, shouted Koli when a cup of sand came over his face. Fortunately, the sanddidnt come into his eyes. "Please stop Gobi! Why are you so angry in this earlymorning?"

"Morning? It has been so late to say morning" Gobi grumbled. "You are acting likeMr. Laju, He has not come yet to bath my body." "Come down, He will come soon",Koli persuaded him. "Look there is many wrinkled on my skin because the hardsunning, Usually I have take a bath in this time!".

"Come down, please dont angry anymore Mr. Laju will come soon, trust me" saidKoli. Not long, There is Mr. Laju comes in hurry. "Oho, ho, ho, I am very sorry Gobi.I woke up late in this morning, I showed wayang golek last night so I slept late.(wayang golek = a kind of traditional puppet, very familiar in West Java Province).

Gobi starred at him, he looks understand that Mr. Laju was trying to persuade him.Mr. Laju understood why Gobi acted strangely. He knew Gobi behaviour because hehas take care him since Gobi arrived to that zoo. " Lets take a bath" said Mr. Laju.Gobi followed him, however, when they came to the pool. Gobi catches around Mr.Laju hip with his trunk and brought him highly. He immersed Mr. Laju to the pooland brought him highly again. "Gleg, gleg" in this time Mr. Laju has to swallow thewater pool. "Let me down Gobi" shouted Mr. Laju.

After lose his anger. Gobi free his trunk from Mr. Laju hip. "You are very naughty inthis day, Gobi! And look my breathing almost broken, you must not do it again suchnaughty manned. " said Mr. Laju. He breathed deeply to relief his painful.

Gobi shouted again, but his shout sounds very nice as he want to say" Dont ever tryto get late again Mr. Laju".


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During the caliphate of H{d| Abb{si106, there lived in Baghdad a wealthy personwho was righteous and beneficent. In his vicinity, there resided a person, who wasenvious of his wealth, and no matter how much he tried to taint the wealthy persons

prestige and bring him into disrepute, he could not succeed. Finally, he decided to purchase a slave, train him and then use him to implement his evil intention.

One day, after a year had passed, he asked his slave: How obedient are you to your master?The slave replied, If you ask me to hurl myself into the fire, I shall do so. The manwas overjoyed to hear this.My neighbour is rich and wealthy and I bear animosity towards him.I want you to carry out my instructions. Tonight, both of us shall climb onto the roof of his house where you will kill me so that he is accused of my murder and is put todeath by the government as a punishment for killing me, he said to the slave.However much the slave insisted on not carrying out these instructions, it was to noavail and the man remained unyielding. At midnight, as per the orders of his enviousmaster, the slave severed his masters head on top the roof of the rich neighbour andhurried back to his bed.The next day, the death of the jealous person came to light and H{d|Abb{si had the rich person arrested, and subjected him to interrogation. He thensummoned the slave and interrogated him too.The slave, observing that the rich person was totally innocent, divulged the incident of

jealousy and the subsequent killing. Hearing the incident, the Caliph lowered his head,reflected for a while and then raised it again.Although you have killed a person, you exhibited courage and saved an innocent

person from accusation, therefore, I shall set you free, the Caliph said to the slave.In this manner, the harm of envy and jealousy rebounded upon the envious personhimself.


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During his reign, Gushtasp had a minister by the name of R{stRawishan153. As a result of this prestigious name, Gushtasp held him in high esteemand favored him over the other ministers.This minister exhorted Gushtasp into oppressing the subjects and confiscating their

property in the belief that the orderliness of the kingdoms affairs was dependent upon

the treasury and that the subjects ought to be poor in order that they remainedsubservient and obedient. He himself had not only accumulated a lot of wealth but hadcome to harbour animosity towards Gushtasp.One day, when Gushtasp came to the treasury, he realised that there was no money to

pay his workers. Furthermore, his cities were falling into ruin and the people were indistress. This left Gushtasp in a state of bewilderment.Out of sheer despair, he climbed onto his horse and set off into the wilderness. As hewandered, his eyes fell upon a flock of sheep in the distance. When he came nearer,he observed that the sheep were sleeping while a dog lay suspended from the gallows.In astonishment, he asked the shepherd the reason for killing the dog. The shepherdreplied: This dog was a loyal animal; I nurtured him and trusted him to protect thesheep. After a period, he came in contact with a shewolf and both became friends.When night fell, the she-wolf would take hold of a sheep, eat half of it, and leave theother half for the dog.One day, I noticed a decrease in the number of sheep and after investigation, came toknow of the dogs treachery. Therefore, I hung him up on the gallows so that it isknown that the consequence of treachery and evil is torture and punishment!Hearing this, Gushtasp thought to himself, My subjects are like these sheep and I amlike the shepherd; I must investigate and study the condition of the people so that Iknow the cause for their deplorable state.He returned to his court and asked for the list of prisoners who were locked in his

prisons. Studying the list, he concluded that his minister, R{st Rawishan, hadimprisoned all of them and that he was the cause of all the evils and troubles. He hadthe minister hanged and admitted to himself that he had been deceived by his name.Gradually he made the kingdom prosperous, rectified the past damages, paid attentionto the state of the captives and refrained from trusting anyone, ever again


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KUYIMOKUNA

Original Source: Aboriginal Australian National Origin: Australia

In the traditions of the Dieri of the South Australian Desert, the Muramura, one of whom is featured in the following myth, are anthropomorphic beings who act ascreators and culture heroes. They are said to have given human beings their presentshape, named the animals, and instituted ceremonies. In the narrative below, a Mura-mura establishes the form of a supernatural attack (labeled pointing) in which a boneis pointed at a victim to cause death. Finally, the Mura-muras premonition isexplained by the fact that, according to Dieri concepts of physical and psychologicalcorrespondences, the liver is the seat of the emotions. This may be compared to theEuropean concept of the heart.

A Mura-mura was once out by himself hunting in time of great drought, but couldfind no food. There was no game to be found, and as he sought for it in vain the Muramura. Kuyimokuna, a clever boy, came to him and asked what he was looking for.Kapiri and Woma, was the reply.Follow me, said the boy, walking forward; and all at once he said Dig there.The man dug deep into the earth and found a woma (carpet-snake), and in like manner the boy showed him other places where woma were hidden. Thus he helped the elder Mura-mura on several days, till the others of his people envied him when they sawhim return laden with game each night; so they asked him where he had got it. He toldthem to come with him, and his boy would show them where to find woma and kapiri(iguana). This they did, and the boy led them hither and thither to dig.While they were doing this the boy became thirsty and drank out of their water-bag,forgetting to shut it up again, so that the water ran out. The people were all very angryat this and agreed to kill the boy, and did so when his friend and guardian was notthere.

Now this man felt in his liver that something was wrong with the boy.He could not sleep all night, and in the morning he set about following their tracks, tillhe came to where his friend lay dead. He wept bitterly for his boy. Then he separatedthe flesh from the bones, divided these from each other, and with them separately hekilled all the people who had killed his friend.This is how the Dieri got the custom of killing by pointing the bone.


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One day the Sultan told Abu-Nowâs that his wife said a smell went up from her during the night.Abu-Nowâs replied, O Sultan, we will contrive something to remove the smell.Then he brought a pipe, and went to the soldiers who came by night to the Sultans

palace, telling them that when they hear the watchman overhead they must assemble

in the Sultans room.During the night the Sultan was asleep and his wife said, A smell rises from me!Then the soldiers thronged together to the Sultan and the Sultan said,Whats the matter? The soldiers answered that Abu-Nowâs had been the cause of it.In the morning the Sultan said to the vizier, I never want to see Abu-

Nowâs again.The vizier replied, If you dont want to see Abu-Nowâs, we will throw him into thewell where the ape will eat him.When Abu-Nowâs comes in the morning the vizier said to him, The Sultan willthrow you into the well today!Abu-Nowâs answered that he would come after two or three hours. Then he wentand bought a sheep; he bought also a drum and bagpipes; he put them into a saddlebagand went to the Sultan.Then the vizier said. What is all this, Abu-Nowâs?He replied, I want food, because the people who are dead have had nothing to eat.He took the food with him, and then they took him to the well.Then Abu-Nowâs said that the ape would kill him if he is let slowly down into thewell. And the people say, All right! When he is let slowly down into the well, hesaw the ape in the well; he gave him pieces of meat one by one, and the ape growssatiated.The people above say, Its all over! Abu-Nowâs has been dropped into the well,and the ape has eaten him! But Abu-Nowâs took the drum, and when the ape growshungry he gives him a piece of the flesh. The people come to seeAbu-Nowâs; they see him making a merry noise at the bottom of the well.Then the people say to the Sultan, Always when you throw a man into the well theape eats him at once, but now Abu-Nowâs beats on his kettledrum, and plays withthe bagpipes in the well.The Sultan went to the well and said, Abu-Nowâs!Abu-Nowâs answered, What do you want?He says, Come!Abu-Nowâs replies, No, I dont want to, I am contented here. Then the people let

down ropes and draw Abu-Nowâs up from the well. And he said,I was contented in the well; why do you come to me?


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Once upon a time the Tortoise and the Elephant went on a journey, and they said oneto the other, Let us go and visit Zambe, the son of Mebee!Thereupon they started on their journey; and when they came to a river, they stoppedand took a bath. When they had finished taking a bath, the Tortoise. began, and said tothe Elephant, Come, my friend, we will take new names for ourselves! When the

Elephant therefore asked him, What names shall we take? the Tortoise began, andsaid, My name is Guests, go to the house ; but the Elephant was named Guests,remain seated.After this the Tortoise said, Now we have finished taking new names for ourselves,therefore we will do after this manner: when we have arrived in town, and you hear the people call, Guests, go to the house, then they are calling me, the Tortoise; butif you hear them call, Guests, remain seated, then they are calling the Elephant.When they had thus finished taking new names, they left the river crossing, and cameto the village. Zambe, the son of Mebee, was greatly surprised, and said, Greatguests have come to my village. So he killed a fowl and gave it to a woman to cook,and the woman prepared and cooked it. After this Zambe called a boy, and said tohim, Go and call my guests from the palaver-house.The boy accordingly went to the palaver-house, and called out, Guests, go to thehouse!The Tortoise thereupon quickly arose, saying, They have called me by my name,and he said to his children, Let us go to the house! So the Tortoise and his childrenwent to the house; and they ate the fowl, and saved for the Elephant and his childrenonly a piece of the breast.Thereupon said Zambe, the son of Mebee, Perhaps the Elephant despised thefowl. So he killed a dog and had it cooked, and said to the boy, Go and call myguests from the palaver-house.The boy therefore went to the palaver-house and called out. So the Tortoise againsaid, It is I they are calling, and he and his children went in and ate the dog, butthey kept for the Elephant and his children only a small piece of the dog.After this Zambe, the son of Mebee, killed a sheep and had it prepared also.Then he said again to the boy, Go and call my guests from the palaver-house.The boy therefore went to the palaver-house and called out, Guests, go to thehouse! The Tortoise therefore said again, It is my name they have called, so theTortoise and his children went to the house, and they ate all of the sheep, keeping for the Elephant and his children only a piece of a leg.When the next morning had dawned, the Elephant and the Tortoise said one to theother, Now we will go home. Thereupon Zambe, the son of Mebee, took a staff in

his hand, and said to the Elephant, On the day you arrived here I killed a fowl, butyou did not eat of it; after that I killed a dog, but you did not eat of it, either; so at lastI killed a sheep, but never a bite did you eat of it, either; therefore I want to ask you,what is it you desire that I should now kill for you?To this the Elephant replied, and said, I did not eat, not because there was too littlefood, but because we took new names when we came to this town.Therefore I did in this manner: the name of the Tortoise is Guests, go to the house;and the Tortoise always went, because you always called his name,Guests, go to the house. I did not go because I did not hear you call Guests, remainseated. If, however, you had called me in that manner, I certainly should have gone.Therefore the people said to the Elephant, You are certainly a great big

blockhead. Will any one with any sense ever take such a name for himself?Thus did the Tortoise deceive the Elephant.


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TURTLE DRINKS AT THE EXPENSE OF THE OTHER BEASTSOriginal Source: Bulu Fang

National Origin: Cameroon

One day Leopard climbed a wine palm, which he tapped. Turtle, who happened by atthe time, saw him suspend the gourd to catch the wine.So he hunted up Okpweng, telling him, Come, let us go to the forest at gray dawn inthe morning and drink Leopards palm wine! Okpweng agreed to do so. At graydawn in the morning he came, calling Turtle.He thus, Have you a bag?Okpweng thus, Yes. Then they went out into the forest, climbed the palm tree, anddrank the palm wine. After they had emptied the gourd, Turtle thus,You help me down, then remain up here until more wine drips into the gourd.Then let it down to me in your bag. Okpweng then helped Turtle down, he himself remaining in the tree. When he reached the ground, Turtle quickly hid himself in aleafy thicket.Then appeared Leopard, who, seeing Okpweng up in the tree, said in a loud, scoldingvoice, So you are the one who constantly drinks my palm wine?Then Leopard climbed the tree, and caught and killed Okpweng.Turtle now went to Sô, saying, Early in the morning we shall go to the forest todrink Leopards palm wine. Sô agreed. Very early in the morning it was, when Sôcame to call Turtle, saying, Show me the path [literally, go with me] toLeopards palm wine. They both climbed the tree, drinking the wine, as on the day

before. After they had emptied the gourd, Turtle asked Sô to help him down. Sôdid, remaining in the tree. Then Turtle again quickly hid in the leafy thicket.Soon Leopard came along to collect his palm wine. Seeing Sô, and finding his winegone as before, he caught and killed Sô too.Thus did Turtle to all the beasts, deceiving them, and himself drinking Leopardswine.


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HOW TURTLE INHERITED LEOPARDS GOODS

Original Source: Bulu Fang National Origin: Cameroon

It happened thus. Leopard and Turtle arose, and said they would go to the forest tocamp and hunt and set traps. So they left their villages and went. They walked throughthe forest until they found a place to build a shelter.When they had built it, they said, Now well go out and set traps. So each went hisown way into the forest, where he set his traps. When Leopard had finished setting histraps, Turtle set a noose-trap near a log. Then they both returned to the camp. Nightfell. At dawn they went out to look at their traps to see if anything had been caught.Leopard had caught many animals in his traps.These he took along. He came upon Turtle, whom he found near a tree from which anoose-trap was suspended.Then Leopard said to him, Ah, my Brother Turtle! and do people set traps to catchanimals as you have set this one?Turtle asked of him, Ah, Leopard! How is it that traps are set? Show me how it isdone.So Leopard cut the end off a sapling, dug the shallow pit for the noose-trap, and thenset the trap for Turtle. Now Turtle said, Ah, Leopard! Show me also how it is ananimal can get caught in that thing you have made. Leopard answered him, Is itthat you wish to snare me?Turtle thus to him, Ill come quickly and release you.So Leopard put his head through the noose of the trap, which caused the sapling tospring up, suspending Leopard in the air. Leopard struggled with a great struggling tofree himself. Turtle took up his spear, wounded Leopard, who quickly died. ThenTurtle cut him into pieces, took all the animals he had caught, put them into a basket,and went to his village.Soon the wives of Leopard came to him, asking what had become of their husband.Turtle thus, If he comes not today, hell never come. This he said to me when we

parted in the forest. He was tired living with homely wives like you, he said. But inmy eyes you are all surpassingly beautiful.Then the wives of Leopard went back to their village, waiting even until nightfall for the return of their husband Leopard. At last the head wife said,And why is it that we wait here for him in whose eyes we are ugly? So they took their baskets and all the things of Leopards village, and went to live with Turtle. And

thus it was that Turtle became rich at Leopards cost.


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THE RABBIT AND THE PYTHON

Original Source: Ovimbundu National Origin: Angola

The rabbit was with young, and the python also; and they swore friendship one withthe other, for they loved each other a great deal. The rabbit said,O Python, the day we give birth to our children, you, Python, take my children; andI, the rabbit, will have your children.So they did as they had agreed. The children of the python stretched themselves outlong, because they were not habituated to nurse. The children of the rabbit were withthe python, and they wished to nurse, as was their custom; but the python did not havebreasts with which to nurse the children of the rabbit.Soon, when the rabbit perceived that her children which she had given birth to weregetting stronger, she ran away with them whilst the python was in the woods. Whenthe python returned from the bush, and she found that the rabbit had run off with her children, she was angry, and called together all the pythons, saying, Let us followthe trail of the rabbit and her children!So the pythons began singing, Let us follow the rabbit who stole [ate] her debt to the

python! Let us follow the rabbitthe rabbitwho stole her debt to the python!The rabbit, hearing this song, began to shake. She found a large animal, and said to it,Save me!The animal, hearing the song of the pythons, said,Impossible [I am not able].The rabbit went to all the animals, and they all shunned doing anything.Finally she found a cricket, and cried, Save me!The cricket replied, All right. So then the cricket put the rabbit and her childreninto a burrow, blocking it up with dirt. When the pythons came, they questioned thecricket, saying, Have you seen the rabbit?And he replied, Indeed, I have; she is in that burrow [pointing to a different onefrom that in which the rabbit was]in there is the rabbit.So the one python wished to enter; but the cricket said, All of you had better go inand find the rabbit; and when they had done so, the cricket took hot water, pouring itinto the burrow where were all the pythons, thus killing them. The rabbit was saved.

Moral: Little things are able to accomplish large results; all shunned helpingsave the rabbit, nevertheless the little cricket was able to do it.


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THE SWALLOW AND THE TORTOISE

Original Source: Ovimbundu National Origin: Angola

Once there was a beautiful maiden, and the tortoise and the swallow went to court her.They found her, and they found also her relatives, and they did not wish to give thegirl either to the tortoise or to the swallow.However, the relatives set a test from Bailundo even to Dondi, saying, He whoarrives quickest, he takes the girl. So they rose up the both of them, the swallowtaking his little handbag; and when the two arrived at the point indicated, the swallowtook fright and went to the woods (to stool). Whilst he was thus gone, the tortoiseclimbed into the handbag of the swallow. Soon the swallow returned from the woods,

picked up the handbag in which was the tortoise (this was his wisdom, as he did not possess fast legs), and the swallow was much disturbed thinking that the tortoise hadalready gone on before: so he flew hurriedly.Soon the swallow arrived at the village; and as soon as he reached the outskirts, he putdown his handbag, in which was the tortoise, saying, I shall not enter the village yet,until I first go to the woods. So he went, leaving his handbag behind him.Immediately the tortoise climbed out of the handbag which the swallow had carried,and speedily entered the village. The girl was given to him. When the swallow camefrom the woods, he picked up his handbag, entered, but found that the tortoise hadalready received the girl, and consequently was very sad; but the tortoise was happy.


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THE ELEPHANT AND THE ROOSTER

Original Source: Yoruba National Origin: Nigeria

During our forefathers time, an Elephant was known as the largest animal amongstthe other animals, strong and brave, and also they thought that he ought be called theKing of all the beasts.But one day Elephant was walking in thick woods, he met a Rooster by the way, andhe asked him who he was. And the Rooster said to him, Im a little bird that walk ontwo feet, sharp quill to pick the ground with so as to get the bugs and worms.Then said the Elephant, Oh, yes! I have heard so much about your picking theground. Tell me how many acres of land can you pick in an hour?About ten acres, reply the Rooster.Thats nothing, Elephant replied. I could do twice as much as that in a second.Before an Elephant through talking, there came a hungry Tiger, looking terrible, andwanted to know whats the matter with them. But he wants to jump on that Rooster todevour him. But Elephant would not allow him. Therefore, he went on and left two of them there, disputing on their subject. Few minutes afterwards, the Rooster said to theElephant, It is not a nice thing to stand up here discoursing. But let us try and seewho will win. Before starting, Elephant made a promise that if Rooster can beat him

picking the ground, he shall give him his whole house and his wife.They started. About half an hour, Rooster through with five acres of land whilstElephant has not completed one-third of an acre. But after Rooster got through withhis, in a certain hour he promised to be through. As he was going back he found anElephant under a tree, tired and sleepy, without getting through with half an acre.Rooster woke him and asked him if he believes what he can do. Elephant said,Yes.Rooster ask for what Elephant promised him, but he didnt answered him. ThenRooster got mad, and jumped on him, and pecked him at his nose. Then his nosestarted swelling up, kept swelling up till it hang down, which we call this day anElephant snout. Rooster is the one the cause Elephant nose to look so long, long. If not, Elephant shall have a nose just like the other animals. And at the same time hedidnt get to be the King of the beasts.


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Garfield and the Three Bears

Once upon a time in a little cottage in the big woods lived three bears. There was great big Papa Bear, middle-sized Mama Bear, and itsy-bitsyBaby Bear.

One evening they sat down to a big lasagna dinner. Mama Bearsaid, This lasagna is too hot. Lets go for a walk until it cools. So the threebears went out into the woods.

At the same time in the same woods, Jon was getting dinner readyfor Garfield, Odie and himself. Jon had dragged Garfield along on acamping trip, and Garfield was miserable. He was tired of eating hot dogsand sleeping on the hard ground. So he wandered away from thecampsite, hoping to find a motel and decent food. But he had beenwalking in the woods for a long time, and all he had found was morewoods.

Im beat, said Garfield, rubbing his tired feet. Right now Id bewilling to sleep in a bears cottage, as long as its nicely decorated. Justthen he spied the cottage of the three bears. I had a feeling this wasgoing to happen, he said.

Garfield knocked on the door of the cottage, but no one answered.So Garfield, being a curious and very tired cat, simply opened the doorand walked in.

Inside was a table set with three plates of lasagna. There was agreat big plate, a middle-sized plate, and an itsy-bitsy plate.

Garfield looked at the great big plate of lasagna. Too small, hesaid. Then he looked at the middle-sized plate of lasagna. Much toosmall, he said. Then he looked at the itsy-bitsy plate of lasagna. Youvegot to be kidding, he said.

So he took all three plates of lasagna and dumped them into thepan in which the lasagna had been cooked. He gobbled up all the lasagnaplus everything else in the three bears refrigerator, except some liver andan old box of baking soda. Garfield patted his full tummy. That shouldhold me until suppertime, he said.

In the living room Garfield saw a great big chair, a middle-sizedchair, and an itsy-bitsy chair. Garfield tried the great big chair. Too hard,he said. Then he sat in the middle-sized chair. Too soft, he said. Finallyhe sat in the itsy-bitsy chairand squashed it flat. Too bad, said Garfield.I hope they wont add this to my bill.

Garfield decided that what he really needed was a nap. He wentinto the bedroom. There he found a great big bed, a middle-sized bed, andan itsy-bitsy bed. Im beginning to see a pattern here, said Garfield.

He lay down on the great big bed. This is nice, he said. Next hetried the middle-sized bed. This is also nice, he said. Finally he tried theitsy-bitsy bed, which fortunately was stronger than the itsy-bitsy chair.This is also very nice, said Garfield. Which one should I choose? Hedecided to start with a short nap in the itsy-bitsy bed.

Soon afterward the three bears came home, feeling tired from theirwalk.

We walked too long and too far, said Mama Bear. Now our lasagnais going to be cold.

But their lasagna wasnt cold. It was gone!


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Someones been eating my lasagna! said great big Papa Bear inhis great big voice.

Someones been eating my lasagna! said middle-sized Mama Bearin her middle-sized voice.

Someones been eating my lasagna! said itsy-bitsy Baby Bear inhis itsy-bitsy voice. And cleaned out the refrigerator!

The three bears quickly checked out the living room.Someones been sitting in my chair, said great big Papa Bear.Someones been sitting in my chair, said middle-sized Mama Bear.Someones been sitting in my chair, said itsy-bitsy Baby Bear. And

squashed it flat!Well, thats not surprising, said Mama Bear, after eating all that

lasagna!Finally the three bears crept cautiously into the bedroom. Great

Papa Bear picked something off his bed. Someone left cat hair on mybed! he said.

Middle-sized Mama Bear looked at her bed. Someone left cat hair

on my bed! she said.Itsy-bitsy Baby Bear looked at his itsy-bitsy bed. Someone left cat

hair on my bed! he said. And theres a fat cat still wearing it!Garfield sleepily opened one eye. Im sorry, but this room is taken,

he said. You three will have to stay somewhere else.Did you forget to lock the door again? said middle-sized Mama

Bear to great big Papa Bear. This is just like the time with the little girl!Youre the lardball who broke my chair! said itsy-bitsy Baby Bear

to Garfield.Now Garfield was wide awake. I cannot sleep with all this noise, he

said. If you dont leave right now, Im going to complain to the owners.We are the owners! the three bears cried out.Ill be going now, said Garfield. And with that, he bolted from the

bed, raced across the floor, and jumped out the window, with the threeangry bears roaring at his heels.

Garfield ran faster than he ever had before, and he soon left thebears far behind. Huffing and puffing, he sat down on a log to rest. Thatsthe last time I stay at that place, he said. The food wasnt bad, but thebears werent the least bit friendly.

After he caught his breath, Garfield began walking again, and hesoon found Jon and Odie. Garfield spent the rest of the camping tripcomplaining about the food and the hard ground, but he never went farfrom camp.

The bears, of course, had to eat liver for supper that night. And thenext day great big Papa Bear put up a great big sign that said NO CATSALLOWED!

The Empty Pot

Once upon a time, an Emperor in China needed to selectsuccessor to his throne. The Emperor was old and had no son.Because he loved flowers and plants, he decided to call the children

in the kingdom together and give each a seed. He said that the boy


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who could show the best results within six months would win thecontest. He would become the next to wear the crown.

Every boy in China wanted to win the competition. There wasa huge crowd of boys in the palace on the day when the Emperorgave the seeds. Each boy returned home with one seed in his palm.

One of the boys was Jun. He was a good gardener, evenpeople in his village said that he was the best young gardener in thevillage. He carefully carried the Emperors seed home. At home hetried to grow the seed on a pot carefully and properly.

One week after that, Cheun announced that his seed wassprouting through the soil. Manche was the next boy said that a tinyplant had emerged from his pot. Then it was Wong. Jun was puzzled none of these boys could grow plants as well as he! But Juns seeddid not grow.

Soon sprouts emerged from pots all over the village. Boysmoved their plant outside so the baby leaves could get the warmthof the sun. Soon, dozen of sprouts in pots throughout Juns villagewere stretching out their first leaves. But Juns seed did not grow.

Jun was confused what was wrong? Jun carefully repotted hisseed into a new pot. He changed the method, but still Juns seed didnot grow.

Six months passed. The boy had to bring their plants to thepalace for judging. Cheun, Manchu, Wong and hundreds of otherboys cleaned their pot. Then they prepared themselves by dressingin their finest clothes. Some mothers or fathers walked alongsidetheir son to hold the plant.

What will I do? Jun asked his parents. My seed wouldntgrow! My pot is empty!You did the best you could, said his father.Jun, just bring your pot to the Emperor, said his mother, it

was the best you could do. Jun carried his empty pot to the palace. He felt a shame, but

he agreed what his parents said. It was the best thing he could do.He had tried his best.

At the palace, all the boys lined up in rows. They brought theirblossoming plants. Then the Emperor checked the plants one byone.

When he came to Jun, he scowled even more and said, Whatis this? You brought me an empty pot?

If you please, Your Majesty, said Jun, I tried my best. Iplanted your seed with the best soil. I kept and I watched it everyday. When the seed didnt grow I repotted it in new soil. I evenrepotted it again. But it didnt grow. Im sorry, Jun hang his head.

Hmm, said the Emperor. I should choose you as mysuccessor he continued. Every body was surprised. But then theEmperor said I dont know where all these boys got their seed.

There is no way anything could grow the seed I gave for the contest.

I had boiled all the seed.


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And he smiled at Jun and said You are the only child honestenough to return with an empty pot.

Source: http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/empty_pot_china.html . Withsome adaptations.
http://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/empty_pot_china.htmlhttp://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/empty_pot_china.htmlhttp://www.storiestogrowby.com/stories/empty_pot_china.html


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The Magic of the Old Monk (a tale from East Turkestan)told by ASYRMA-WANDA (1911)Once upon a time two monks were travelling . While they were walking, theygot at a place, and stayed there. As they were staying, it became noon. Theydrank tea.After they had drunk the tea, the young monk said to the old monk: "Do you knowan illusion trick?"

Thereupon the old one said: "Look outside of the house."He looked outside. A white horse was standing there.

Thereupon he took a bridle from the pole. He took it and bridled the horse. Hebridled it and mounted. He mounted it and while galloping, he got at a place.

Thereupon, after he got at a place, after he got at the shore of a water, the horselay down. The horse died at the water side. On the horse's head was a tick. As itwas sitting there, he plucked the tick off. His horse had died, the one bridlevanished.

Thereupon this monk, the monk became hungry. He did not know where to go.Suddenly a woman came out from the water. After she had come out, she said: "Ido not have a husband. Be my husband!" she said to this monk.

Thereupon he went, and three years passed. In the water, several children wereborn.

Then one day, this monk took his youngest child in his arms and went to the waterside. He dropped the child into the water. He dredged but could not dredge himup.

Thereupon he went back again and told his wife, and dredged together with hiswife. Afterwards the two eldest children came too. As they were about to dredgefor him at the water side, these two also fell into the water.

Then the woman had no more need of the monk. "Beat it, wherever you want togo!" she said.He went again, and as he walked and walked, he again got at the shore of thewater, and pulled the bridle out. He pulled it out, took the bridle along, andwalked for three years. He arrived at the place where he had been staying.He had slept just a little. He had fallen asleep, and this monk was still sittingthere. So what had he done? The monk was drinking tea, and laughing. But he stillstood here, holding the bridle.


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The story of the boy and the old woman, andhow the wasp got his small waist(a Hausa story from West Africa)

This tale is about a bush-burning. A story, a story. Let it go, let it come.A chief gave permission for the grass to be burned. They went all round but didnot see anything (game) until all the grass was burned. Then a certain bad boysaw a hole and dug (there); he did not see anything. But an old woman came out,and on her emerging she screamed (with rage) and said,'The chief has set fire to the bush; (hitherto) whosoever has seen this hole haspassed on, and now you must dig it up. To-day you will see.'

Then she sprang on the boy, but the boy struck her with his axe. Up she leapedand turned into a hawk, and when she was about to swoop down on him he shotat her; and so (they fought on) until she got the better of him. He ran away. (As)he ran he came across a wasp, he was weaving cloth. Then the wasp said, 'Whereare you going?' He said,'An old woman chased me.' Then the wasp said, 'Sit here (till) she comes.' So the

boy sat down.He was there when the old woman came sure enough, and she sprang to catchthe boy; but the wasp swallowed her.He lifted a single thread and gave it to the boy (and) said he must tie it round hismiddle. So the boy tied him up, until his back was almost cut in two. That is theorigin of what you see; the wasp's belly is big, the old woman is inside. His back,which has become a thread, the boy bound it at the middle, behind.

That is all. Off with the rat's head. The rat will not eat my head, rather will I eat(its) head, son of a worthless fellow.


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A CONFERENCE OF KINGS

Two kings had met to adjust a border dispute. One was clothed ingold and silver, the other was dressed in rags, and his face was fullof cuts. The king in gold and silver was so shocked when he saw hisneighbor that he forgot all about borders. For even though kings liketo make war against each other, they hate to see one of their own inreal trouble. Even when one king kills another, he wants to be surethat behind the one he killed theres another ready to take his place.Anyway, the king in gold and silver grasped the other by theshoulders and cried,What has happened to you, brother?Dont ask, the king in rags replied; Ive been all but hacked todeath. Im a good king. I raised everybodys wages and salaries andprofits and interest and dividends and pensions and royalties, andthe people got used to fingering money, so they asked for more, thetreasury wasempty, I sold the queens jewels, the rich denounced me, the rabblebesieged me, everybody threw stones at me, and if it hadnt beenfor our blessed border dispute they would have murdered me topieces. While look at you, oh look at you. Gorgeous and gay, andlooking twenty years younger than you are. Brother, brother, how doyou do it?Unlike you, said the rich king, I imposed on my people a tax soheavy it would have ruined five generations to come. At the lastmoment, when the only noise in the realm was that of sobs andgroans, I made an unforgettable gesture from my balcony and

reduced the tax by one entire tenth. And now, brother, I am richenough to buy Mammon, and the people, though hungry bless meeverywhere I go.


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A CONVERSATION BETWEEN A BULLDOZER AND A MOUSE

A large bulldozer was tearing up a field in which a family of micehad made their nest. As the bulldozer carved its way nearer andnearer to their home, the mice could hear the groans of woundedbitterweeds and the gasps of slain beetles rising from all sides of thefield.What shall we do? the miceling were crying, but their parents onlystared and trembled as the terrible jaws gnashed the earth.At last the father mouse leaped forward and ran up to the machine,which he addressed as follows:Lord Bulldozer, spare my little family; we are poor but honest micethat have lived in this useless lot for many years without disturbingthe peace.And what makes you think that I have come to disturb the peace?replied the bulldozer.Well said the mouse.Nonsense, the bulldozer retorted; you are thoroughly mistaken. Iam leveling the ground for an eighty five-story apartment house asa special favor to you mice.As a special favor to us mice?Yes, sir. You have been disgracefully happy in a sordid nest with anoccasional dandelion in your gullet; but after I have finished mywork, you will take your pick of five dozen rooms, each oneoverflowing with bread and cheese,potatoes, and lamb chops. The nation of mice will thrive; you willpublish odes to

me. I am very glad that the nation of mice will thrive, said themouse, butwhat about us? Who is us? Us, me, my woman, and my twomiceling! Idont know us, my and me, said the bulldozer; Ideal in principles.

The mouseran back to his family, and said as cheerfully as he could: Thebulldozer broughtme good news: he is growing an apartment house here especiallyfor the nation of mice, and we are going to live in whipped cream to the end of time.But beforethe mother could make a comment (and that was a pity, becauseshe was asensible beast), a ton of earth fell on top of them and the bulldozerchurned on.Let you and me be more careful than these mice, and when we seeprogresscoming our way, jump aside in time.13


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THE NAMELESS TREE

In a remote corner of the world which no human being has everseen there flourished some trees which, as no one has ever seenthem, I cant describe to you, though I like to imagine them aslooking like grand cabbages sitting on their trunks, why not? Oneday a seedling was wafted into their midst from eastern New Jersey.

The seedling took root next to one of these trees, and it tooflourished. First a sapling came up, and then, many years later, apine tree mature enough at last to know the rules of civility and togreet its neighbor with a Good morning to you, neighbor!

The tree it thus addressed responded with a cordial And a sunnyday to you, young growth. Ive watched you pushing up season afterseason. I can see that youve reached ripeness and wisdom, and Iwish you hundreds more years of the same. How very kind of you, exclaimed the pine tree. Allow me therefore to introducemyself: I am a pine tree. And you? I am me, and Im not quitesure,dear friend, that I understand your question. Forgive me! said thepine treefrom New Jersey, I was simply asking for your name, not wishing,however, togo beyond the bounds of a decent curiosity. Your curiosity iswelcome, repliedthe other tree, but I know nothing about names; what is a name?

The pine treewas surprised. A name is, well, a name; as I told you, I am not only

a tree, likeyou, I am a pine tree, as they say in New Jersey, or a Tannenbaum inGerman, or,better still, a Pinus ponderosa in Latin.At this point it was the natives turn to be surprised. What can Isay? I amnothing but what you see, and so are my relatives up yonder slope;we have nonames that I know of. Tell me, what good are names? Im notsure, but I caninform you that without a name, one doesnt know who or what oneis; in fact,one doesnt altogether exist if youll forgive my saying so. Howvery awful,sighed the nameless tree; and I suppose that without a name youstop growing,you lose your leaves, your roots wither, and the creatures give upon you and flyelsewhere. Oh no! Please dont be frightened! No such thing! Justlook atyourself! Any mother-tree would be proud to call you her own!

Then may I be


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your friend without a name? You may be and you are, said thepine tree,shaking all his needles. Besides, he added, I hereby allow you toforget myname; for the more I gaze at your head of leaves, the more I feelthat I too shallmanage to exist without one.3

the fox and the goat

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