Week 3 Reading Diary: Aesop's Fables (Jacobs)

For week 3, I chose Aesop's Fables (Jacobs).

Lions, Part 1

• The Lion's Share: the lion is mean and a cheater. And although the other animals don't agree, they don't argue either. 
• The Sick Lion: although the lion clearly did something to anger all the other animals, I don't think it's fair or nice to beat someone while they're down, especially while dying.
• Androcles and the Lion: this story kind of reminds me of How to Train Your Dragon. Hiccup saves Toothless, and instead of turning on him once he's free, he just flies away (though not far). It's a good lesson teaching people to be good, not for something in return, but just because it's what's right.
• The Lion and the Statue: I had to read this twice to get the point of the story. Since a human made the statue, a statue of Hercules killing a lion, it doesn't really represent anything, says the Lion. This reminds me of "history is written by the victors".

Lions, Part 2

• The Four Oxen and the Lion: this reminds me of "divide and conquer", even though the Lion didn't actually do the dividing.
• The Lion in Love: man, this family is just mean. I guess it also tells us to be cautious and not fall blindly in love like the Lion.
• The Lion, the Fox, and the Beasts: be cautious of where you're going, because you might not get out... The Fox was cautious enough to wait outside before going in to die.
• The Ass and the Sick Lion: I guess this is where the phrase "smartass" comes from.

Foxes, Part 1

• The Fox and the Stork: I have a feeling that this back and forth between the fox and the stork would turn real ugly if it keeps going on. 

Fox and the Crane (source: mythfolklore)

• The Fox and the Mask: this is like how people say, "don't judge people by appearance but by personality and actions".
• The Fox and the Grapes: if you can't get it, it can't be that good anyway.

Foxes, Part 2

• The Fox and the Lion: reminds me of people working with wild animals. Get familiar with them, learn to trust each other, and exist together as friends.
• The Fox and the Mosquitos: very interesting tactic on the fox's part. I would have never thought of that (chasing away the mosquitos would only invite hungrier ones to him).
• The Fox Without a Tail: I feel like the fox tried to blend in. When it couldn't, it tried to sway the others, but they don't believe him. 
• The Fox and the Goat: it's interesting how foxes are interpreted as cunning creatures. Jumping on the goat's back to get himself out of the well. For a second there I thought he was going to eat the goat.

Wolves

• The Wolf and the Lamb: that wolf just needed an excuse to eat the lamb. If no one was around, why did he even bother.
• The Wolf and the Crane: to be fair, I kind of agree with the wolf... the crane put its neck down a wolf's throat and came out alive; that's quite rare.
• The Wolf and the Kid: you feel safer when you taunt someone, knowing that they can't do anything to you (at the moment).
• The Dog and the Wolf: reminds me of "better rule in hell than serve in heaven".
• The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: appearance can deceive people into thinking you're someone/something else.
• Nurse and the Wolf: kind of implies that enemies would always or most likely lie to you about rewards. 

Dogs and Cats

• The Dog and the Shadow: I've actually heard of this one before. Be content with what you have... try to not be greedy.
• The Dog in the Manger: "Ah, people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves."
• The Fox and the Cat: better to have a plan that works for sure than a hundred that doesn't. 
• The Cat-Maiden: you can't change the nature of someone/something; they will always remain that way.

Mice

• Belling the Cat: it's easy to be brave when you're not the one risking your life.
• The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse: better be comfortable in peace than luxurious is fear
• The Lion and the Mouse: "Small causes may produce great results."
• The Married Mouse: the mouse married a lion but died when she put her paw on him. Ambition is good, too much is bad.

Asses

• The Ass in the Lion's Skin: it's like it's saying, no matter how smart you dress, if you're not clever, nothing can change that. "Imposters generally forget something".
• The Ass's Brains: "Wit has always an answer ready." It's good to be clever I guess.
• The Ass and the Lapdog: what works for one person doesn't always work for another.
• The Horse and the Ass: it's almost like it's saying, it's better to fly under the radar. Better not be noticed and alive than noticed and dead.

Deer

• The Horse, the Hunter, and the Stag: if you're looking to use someone, expect the favor to be returned.
• The Hart and the Hunter: the hart loves his antlers and hates his legs, but when a hunter approaches, his legs help him while his antlers hinder him.
• The Stag in the Ox-Stall: again, the hart's antlers hinder him in his escape.
• The One-Eyed Doe: "You cannot escape your fate."

Hares

• The Hares and the Frogs: when you think it's as bad as it's gonna get, there's a possibility someone has it worse than you.
• The Hare and the Tortoise: don't brag, just finish what you're supposed to.
• The Hare with Many Friends: having one true friend is better than having many friends.