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Fables

Translated by V. S. Vernon Jones

Aesop’s classic Fables of behavior and consequence.

First published
1489
Length
39,599 words
Reading time
About 2 hr 45 min
Language
English (UK)

About the book

Whether it’s the benefits of taking it slow and steady (“The Tortoise and the Hare”), the necessity of invention (“The Crow and the Pitcher”), or the problems of cognitive dissonance (“The Fox and the Grapes”), Aesop has a fable for every occasion. Aesop lived in Greece in the 6th century BCE, far enough in the past that it’s become impossible to ascribe all these fables to him. Some were certainly retellings of older myths, some share their roots in collections of fables from India and further afield, and many were added well after his time. However, they all share a certain quality of prose that marks them out as belonging to the collection regardless of authorship. It’s that quality, combined with their insight into the human character, that has meant that they’ve stood the test of time for twenty-five centuries.

This collection is the 1912 translation by V. S. Vernon Jones, comprising two hundred and eighty-four of the fables.

the Read4Max reading text contains approximately 39,599 words arranged in 3 navigable sections.

The source metadata identifies Translator: V. S. Vernon Jones.

About the author

Aesop

Aesop (620 BCE–564 BCE) is described by Wikidata as ancient Greek storyteller (619 BC–563 BC).

Recorded occupations include fabulist, mythographer, philosopher, and writer. Languages recorded for Aesop include Ancient Greek. Wikidata lists Aesop's Fables among Aesop's notable works. Open Library identifies Fables as a leading work in its author record. Open Library catalogs 1375 works under this author record. The Read4Max catalog currently includes Fables under Aesop's authorship.

Contributors

Translator

V. S. Vernon Jones

Reading options

  • A complete text with direct section navigation in the browser reader.
  • A downloadable EPUB for phones, tablets, desktop reading apps, and compatible ereaders.
  • Book and contributor metadata are checked against the source edition before indexing.

Themes and ideas

  • Fables, Greek

Table of contents

Open reader
  1. Introduction
  2. Fables
  3. The Fox and the Grapes