Twistales

A schoolboy stole a hornbook from one of his schoolmates and brought it home to his mother. Instead of punishing him, she encouraged him and was proud of his deed. In the course of time, the boy, now a grown man, began to steal things of greater value until he was finally caught in the…

A rich gentleman invited a nobleman to dine with him, and extraordinary preparations were made for the meal. At the same time the gentleman’s dog met the nobleman’s dog, and he, too, said, “Come, my good fellow, and sup with us tonight.” The nobleman’s dog was delighted with the invitation and arrived early to watch…

A hunter was returning from the mountains loaded with game when he met a fisherman coming home with his basket full of fish. The hunter admired the fish and desired to have them for supper, while the fisherman longed to have a meal of game. So they quickly agreed to exchange catches, and from then…

One day a fir tree was boasting to a bramble, “Your life is really without significance and no use to anyone, whereas mine is filled with many high and noble purposes. How could barns and houses be built without me? I furnish taper spars for ships and beams for roofs of palaces. “Good sir,” replied…

Two pots, one made of clay, the other of brass, were swept down a river in a flood. The brass pot told his companion to stay by his side, and he would protect him. “Thank you for your offer,” said the clay pot, “but that’s just what frightens me. If you’ll just keep your distance…

After deciding to become partners, a donkey and a fox went out into the country to hunt. On the way they met a lion, and realizing the danger ahead, the fox went straight to the lion and whispered, “If you promise not to harm me, I’ll betray the donkey, and you easily have him in…

A long time ago, when the frogs led a free and easy life in the lakes and ponds, they became disgruntled because everyone lived according to his own whim, and chaos reigned. Consequently, they gathered together and petitioned Jupiter to let them have a king who would bring order into their lives and make them…

Once upon a time the mice were so distressed by the way a particular cat was persecuting them that they called a meeting to decide upon the best way to get rid of this perpetual annoyance. Many plans were discussed and rejected. At last a young mouse got up and proposed that a bell should…

Some cranes settled down in a farmer’s field that had recently been sown with wheat and made it their feeding grounds. For some time the farmer frightened them away by threatening them with an empty sling. But when the cranes discovered that he was only slinging air, they were no longer afraid of him and…

While crossing a river, a fox was driven by the current into a narrow gap and got stuck there exhausted for a long time. To add to his misfortune, as warm of flies settled all over his body and began bothering and stinging him. A porcupine, who came wandering in that direction, saw him and…