1. Aesop’s Fables

2. Fables Brief story Teaches a lesson or moral Usually involves animals
One of the oldest forms of storytelling

3. Aesop – about 620-560 B.C. Believed to be born in Africa
Greek slave who was eventually given his freedom
Violent death probably as a result of his sarcastic stories

4. The Hare and the Tortoise
The race is not always to the swift.
The hare was making fun of the tortoise because he was slow.
The hare challenged the tortoise to a race.
The hare was so confident he sleepy during the race.
The tortoise caught to the hare and passed him.
When the hare woke up the tortoise was so far ahead that the hare could not catch up no matter how fast he ran.
Tortoise won.

5. The Fox and the Grapes
There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.
The fox is anxious to get the grapes.
He keeps trying to reach them, but fails.
He convinces himself that he doesn’t want the grapes.
He says they were probably sour anyway.

6. Belling the Cat
It is one thing to say something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
The mice have a meeting to discuss a cat problem.
A mouse comes up with an idea to put a bell on the cat.
An old mouse says, “Well, who is going to bell the cat?”

7. The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear.
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse eat lunch together.
The Town Mouse asks the Country Mouse to come home to the city with her, and the Country Mouse accepts her offer.
The Mice are chased by Cat in the city.
Country Mouse returns home after telling Town Mouse that she would rather live in poverty with security over having many nice things and living in fear.

8. The Goose and the Golden Egg
Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.
Countryman has a goose that lays one glittering, golden egg per day.
Goes to the market and sells the eggs to get rich.
Gets greedy and wants more golden eggs.
Has an idea that if he cuts the goose open he will get all the eggs at once.
Ends up killing the goose and gets no eggs.

9. Writing Your Own Fable 1 long to 3 short paragraphs
Must have animal and teach a lesson
Suggestions:
Kindness is never wasted.
Little friends may prove to be the best of friends.
It’s best not to desire what you can’t have anyway.

10. Fable Ideas What you want to teach Two animal characters Their problem
What happens