Reading Notes: Aesop (Winter) Half Unit

Yikes, I didn't get to reading yesterday, so today I am going to read half a unit and call it good. I chose from the list of units that are okay for half reading, and chose Aesop (Winter). I decided to take notes on only a few of the many stories inside this reading in order to save time.

The Tortoise and the Hare from Wikimedia

The Wolf and the Kid:

• Right off the bat, I realize that "Kid" is referring to a goat baby or child. 
• A goat child doesn't go home when he is supposed to and gets cornered by a wolf. The goat manages to trick the wolf into playing a tune, which ends up getting him caught by the dogs. Meanwhile, the goat was able to escape.
• "Do not let anything turn you from your purpose."
• I like that this story ended with an explicit statement of what the moral was. 

The Tortoise and the Ducks

• Because this is a child's story, the perspective is quite simple. For example, Tortoise did something and now he feels something as a consequence of that something. It is very easy to follow.
• Because the turtle becomes full of himself due to the flattery of other birds, I fell from a great height and died.
• "Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune."

The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox

• I believed the chicken was going to be eaten, but he turned out to be sly --even more sly than a fox. 
• Basically, the fox tried to outsmart this chicken and paid a price for it.
• "Those who try to deceive may expect to be paid in their own coin."

The Eagle and the Jackdaw

• A jackdaw tries to imitate an eagle, but it gets him in trouble. Now he has lost his freedom.
• "Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers."

The Plane Tree

• "Our best blessings are often the least appreciated."
• Remind me of the giving tree. That's a good one!
• Two people basically trash talk a tree, and the tree talks back.

The Sheep and the Pig

• This story reminds me of the concept of privilege. People are quick to forget their own position and quick to judge others without knowing their position. The sheep think it is silly of the pig to be scared, but they don't realize his fate is very different from their own.
• "It is easy to be brave when there is no danger."

The Lion and the Ass

• In this story, the lion acts like the bigger person because he realizes the Ass is below him
• "Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them."

The Wolf and his Shadow

• A wolf thinks he is better than a lion because his shadow fooled him into thinking he is bigger than one. He gets attacked by a lion in the end.
• "Do not let your fancy make you forget realities."

The Boys and the Frogs

• In this story, I am again reminded of privilege. Some of the things people enjoy doing can often mean fatal repercussions for others.
• "Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the cause of another's unhappiness."

The Leap at Rhodes

• Basically, a man lies about how far he can jump, but the townsfolk aren't impressed. He can't jump far when asked to prove it.
• "Deeds count, not boasting words."
• Similar to the concept of actions speaking louder than words.

The Wild Boar and the Fox

• The boar recognizes the importance of preparing. It would be unfortunate to be caught in a situation you aren't equipped to handle.
• "Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace."

The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox

• The fox takes advantage of the bear and lion beating each other up to snatch the prize.
• "Those who have all the toil do not always get the profit."
• Not everyone who prospers has earned their wealth, on the other side of that wisdom.

The Lion and the Ass

• It is easy to hide behind the facade of the unknown. Just because the ass was able to scare the goats does not mean he is actually scary. The goats are just ignorant.
• "The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten those who know him.

The Wolf and the Ass

• Because the wolf tried to fix the ass's thorn, the donkey was able to make his escape. The wolf lost his meal due to him trying to do something he is not familiar with.
• "Stick to your trade."

The Monkey and the Cat

• The monkey tricks the cat into doing the labor of getting him chestnuts by telling her things she wanted to hear. She ended up with no chestnuts and burnt paws because she listened to the compliments of the monkey.
• "The flatterer seeks some benefit at your expense."

Bibliography

Aesop's Fables by Winter