Funeeee!!!!!

I think Aesops fables should be taught in gradeschool. So many moral lessons that don't seem to be taught anymore. I can remember getting mad at the version of the grasshopper and the ant that we read in 2nd grade. The grasshopper danced and sang all summer while the ant toiled away to have food for the winter. Come winter the warm and well feed ant hears a scratching at his door and it is the freezing, starving grasshopper. The ant did not slam the door in his face and say since you didn't work - you can't eat but let him in. I was appalled. Not that I wanted the grasshopper to die, but I thoungt there should be one more sentence to the fable: The ant allowed the grass hopper in but he had to "sing for his supper". I din't like the idea of something for nothing. (Does this classify me a conserative?)

I liked your fable west!!!

They are taught in grade schools tibs. My son and I went over several of them.

I realized my two favorites aren't the typical The Tortoise and The Hare or The Fox and The [sour] Grapes, but The Crow and the Pitcher is my mantra. I love to break a problem into it's smaller pieces, then one-by-one whittle a bit at a time, until, at last, it's done! Reward!!!! I find The Cat-maiden completely entertaining.

The Cat-Maiden
The gods were once disputing whether it was possible for a living being to change its nature. Jupiter said "Yes," but Venus said "No." So, to try the question, Jupiter turned a Cat into a Maiden, and gave her to a young man for a wife. The wedding was duly performed and the young couple sat down to the wedding-feast. "See," said Jupiter, to Venus, "how becomingly she behaves. Who could tell that yesterday she was but a Cat? Surely her nature is changed?"

"Wait a minute," replied Venus, and let loose a mouse into the room. No sooner did the bride see this than she jumped up from her seat and tried to pounce upon the mouse. "Ah, you see," said Venus, "Nature will out."

I"m glad I read the first part of the book, so I got an idea what the symbolisems were.

"The introduction of the animals or fictitious characters should be marked with an unexceptionable care and attention to their natural attributes, and to the qualities attributed to them by universal popular consent. The Fox should be always cunning, the Hare timid, the Lion bold, the Wolf cruel, the Bull strong, the Horse proud, and the Ass patient. Many of these fables are characterized by the strictest observance of these rules."

Translated by George Fyler Townsend. Aesop's Fables (p. 8). Amazon Digital Services, Inc..

tibs,I don't know if it makes you conservative, but the ant did invite the grashopper in for a meal. That's a good thing.

The one you shared is a description of my receding, graying, hippie, long haired leaping gnome persona but I have no idea who is pulling them out.

either mother nature or father time Don!

Great answer, Rob.

I also remember in grade one......the little Red Hen. She DIDN'T share her food with the creatures who wouldn't help her gather the grain. But I doubt she made the politically correct cut of modern textbooks.

It's called teaching the consequence of your actions, and although that's been the subject of a lot of debate whether that's appropriate childhood story fodder, it beats letting a child learn the same lessons first-hand.

Suzy, you always say (at least I can't remember when it hasn't happened) the right thing. Or at least something with which I agree. But what I really like is, I admire fully, is that you usually are looking farther out. Worthy of emulation. Just thought I'd tell you that. (((Suzy)))