Aesop's Phrases

The Viper and the File. 300 by Townsend

A Viper, entering the workshop of a smith, sought from the tools the means of satisfying his hunger. He more particularly addressed himself to a File, and asked of him the favor of a meal. The File replied, "You must indeed be a simple-minded fellow if you expect to get anything from me, who am accustomed to take from everyone, and never to give anything in return."

Pe93=Ch116, Ph4.8, Cax3.12, L'Es45, Laf5.16, Jacobs26, TMI J552.3.

quotation from Aesop without morals by LLoyd w. Daly.

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THE MARTEN AND THE FILE

A marten found its way into a bronze foundry and began to lick at a file that lay there. Her tongue was rubbed raw, and the blood began to freely. She was so delighted to think that she was getting something out of the iron that she lost her tongue altogether.

------------------------------------------------------------ not public domain.

Pe59=Ch77, TMI J552.3

The Fox and the Bramble. 285 by Townsend

A FOX was mounting a hedge when he lost his footing and caught hold of a Bramble to save himself. Having pricked and grievously tom(torn?) the soles of his feet, he accused the Bramble because, when he had fled to her for assistance, she had used him worse than the hedge itself. The Bramble, interrupting him, said, "But you really must have been out of your senses to fasten yourself on me, who am myself always accustomed to fasten upon others."

Pe19=Ch31, Cax6.5, L'Es101, TMI J656.1