Aesop’s fables are short stories that have been written by the ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop, who lived between 620-520 B.C. They usually carry a moral and are especially intended for children.

A couple of them are given below:

1.  Eagle and arrow

An eagle was soaring in the sky, when suddenly it heard the whizz of an arrow. The arrow struck the eagle which then gradually started falling to earth. While coming down, it happened to notice that the shaft of the arrow has been feathered with one of its own plumes.

The eagle thought sadly “We often give our enemies the means of our own destruction” and died.

2.  Dog and Shadow

A certain dog was carrying a piece of meat in his mouth to eat it in a secluded place in peace.

On his way, he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he was crossing, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking that it was another dog with another piece of meat, he instantly made up his mind to have that also. So he made a go at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of meat fell, and was lost into the waters of the brook. In the process, he also became wet and was able to come out only after a long struggle.