Aesop's Fables

What a delight to re-read Aesop's Fables.  In this collection by Penguin there are 203 Fables, selected and adapted by Jack Zipes.  The Fables have been popularly attributed to the Greek slave Aesop (circa. 620BC).  Lions, Wolves, Greek Gods, Eagles and Foxes feature a-plenty, as well as the obligatory moral message. 

They are fun to read, a few at a time over several weeks, pondering the meaning of each one and imagining the debates that ancient Greek scholars may have had over each tale.

I felt the Fable entitled simply The Miser, was particularly apt for saying Goodbye Magpie:

To make sure that his property would always remain safe and protected, a miser sold all that he had and converted it into one great lump of gold, which he hid in a hole in the ground.  Since he went there continually to visit and inspect it, one of his workers became curious and suspected that his master had hidden a treasure.  When the miser's back was turned, the worker went to the spot and stole the gold.  Soon thereafter the miser returned, and when he found the hole empty, he wept and tore his hair.  But a neighbour, who witnessed his grief, told him, "Don't fret any longer.  Just take a stone and put it in the same place.  Then imagine that it's your lump of gold.  Since you never meant to use it, the stone will be just as good as the gold."

The value of money depends not on accumulation but in its use.

What a gem!  I feel exactly the same way about 'precious' objects which we have in the house, that are hidden away in case they are stolen, or because they are too good to use.  I wonder what is the point of them is, they may as well not be there at all!  The Miser also reminded me of the saying, 'you can't take it with you'... which is equally true.



Good Read Rating: 7 out of 10