Naveed Jan English

 Author: Aesop The Mice once convened a meeting to devise a strategy to defeat their adversary, the Cat. At the very least, they hoped to find a means to predict her arrival so they could flee in time. They lived in such continuous terror of her claws that they rarely ventured to leave their caves at any time of day or night. Many proposals were explored, but none were deemed adequate. Finally, a very little Mouse stood up and said: "I have a plan that appears simple, but I am confident it will be successful." We just have to wrap a bell around the neck of the cat. We shall know quickly when the bell rings that our opponent is approaching." The Mice were all astonished that they hadn't thought of this earlier. But, in the middle of their joy at their good fortune, an elderly Mouse stood up and said: "I will add that the young Mouse's plan is excellent. But first, a question: "Who will ring the Cat?" Moral: Most things are easier said ...

 Author: Aesop The Fox developed a plan to entertain himself at the cost of the Stork, whose unique look always made him smile. "You must come and dine with me today," he told the Stork, laughing to himself at the ruse he was about to do. The Stork enthusiastically accepted the offer and arrived on schedule. The Fox provided soup for the meal. But it was served in a very shallow dish, and the Stork could only moisten the tip of his bill. He couldn't even get a sip of soup. But the Fox ate it up quickly and made a big show of enjoying himself, much to the chagrin of the Stork. The hungry Stork was enraged by the deception, but he was a cool-headed person who saw no need in flying into a passion. Instead, not long after, he invited the Fox to join him for dinner. The Fox came punctually at the appointed hour, and the Stork prepared a fish meal that smelled delicious.  It was, however, served in a tall jar with a relatively small neck. The Stork's huge bill offer...

 Author: Aesop A young Fox, who had never seen a Lion previously, came to encounter one in the jungle. A single glance was enough to send the Fox scurrying for the nearest hiding spot. The Fox halted behind a tree the second time he spotted the Lion to stare at him before slinking away. But on the third occasion, the Fox fearlessly approached the Lion and said, "Hi, there, old top," without raising a hair. Moral: Contempt grows from familiarity.

 Author: Aesop The Cattle, fatigued and hungry after laboring in the field, woke up a sleeping dog in a hay-filled manger. The Dog, on the other hand, wouldn't allow them near the manger, growling and snapping as though it were full of the best flesh and bones for himself. The Cattle gave the Dog a disgusted look. "How selfish he is!" one exclaimed. "Though he is unable eat the hay, yet he is not allowing us to eat it; we are starving for the hay!" Now the farmer has arrived. When he saw how the Dog was acting, he grabbed a stick and dragged him out of the stable, striking him several times for his greedy behavior. Moral: Do not resent others for what you are unable to enjoy yourself.

Author: Aesop A miser buried his gold in a hidden location in his garden. Every day, he returned to the location, dug up the treasure, and counted it piece by piece to ensure it was complete. He made so many journeys that a Thief who had been watching him figured out what the Miser had concealed and one night stealthily dug up the treasure and stole it. When the Miser learned of his loss, he was overcome with grief and despair. He moaned, wept, and ripped his hair. When a passerby heard his cries, he inquired as to what had happened. "My precious metal!" "O my gold!" exclaimed the Miser, "someone has robbed me!" "Your precious metal!" What's in the hole? Why did you place it there? Why didn't you store it in the house so you could readily retrieve it when you needed to buy something?" The Miser yelled loudly, "Buy!" "Because I never touched the gold." I couldn't think of anything to do with it."...

 Author: Aesop Two young frogs were playing around the edge of a pool when an Ox came down to drink and accidentally trampled on one of them, crushing his life. When the old Frog missed him, she inquired about his whereabouts. "He's dead, mama," the younger one explained with sorrow, "a monster having four legs rushed into our pool this morning and crushed him down in the dirt." "Enormous, was he?" the frog exclaimed. Was he really this big?" remarked the Frog, puffing herself out to appear as huge as she could. “Oh! "Yes, much larger," was the response. The Frog inflated herself even more. "Was he as big as this?" she wondered. “Oh! "Yes, much larger," was the response. The Frog inflated herself even more. "Was he as big as this?" she wondered. "Oh! yes, yes, mother, MUCH bigger," the tiny Frog exclaimed. She inflated herself up even more, until she was almost as round as a ball....

 Author: Aesop An Ass discovered a lion's skin that had been discarded in the jungle by a hunter. He dressed up in it and kept himself busy by hiding in a thicket and charging out at passing animals.  When they spotted him, they all fled to their heels. The Ass was overjoyed to see the animals fleeing him, as if he were King Lion himself, and couldn't help but bray loudly and harshly.  A Fox who was running with the others, heard the voice and came to a halt. As he approached the Ass, he laughed and remarked, "If you had kept your mouth shut, you might have scared me, too. But you gave it away with that stupid bray." Moral: A fool's attire and demeanor may deceive, but his words will soon reveal who he truly is.