Twistales

Adorned with his fine trappings, a stallion, who was on his way to war, came thundering along the road and aroused the envy of a poor donkey, who was trudging along the same route with a heavy load on his back. “Get out of my way,” cried the proud horse, “or I’ll trample you under…

After a stubborn goat had strayed from the herd and stood on the edge of a high rock nibbling grass, the goatherd did his best to bring him back to his companions. He tried calling and whistling without success and at last, having lost his patience, he picked up a stone and struck one of…

There was once a man who owned a horse and a donkey. Whenever he took trips, he tended to spare the horse and put all the burden on the donkey’s back. Since the donkey had been ailing for some time, he asked the horse one day to relieve him of part of his load while…

During a severe winter, a farmer was snowed in his farmhouse. When he found that he could not procure any food outside, he began consuming his own sheep. As the hard weather continued, he began to eat his goats. And finally-for there was no break in the weather he turned to the plough oxen. Thereupon,…

A crow watched an eagle swoop down with majestic air from a nearby cliff, descend upon a flock of sheep, and then carry off a lamb in his talons. The whole thing looked so graceful and easy that the crow was eager to imitate it. So, he swept down upon a large fat ram with…

As a fisherman was drawing in his net that he had cast into the sea, he noticed that it was full of all sorts of fish. However, little fish escaped through the meshes of the net and swam back into the deep water, while the big fish remained trapped and were hauled into the boat.…

One day a lion entered a farmyard, and the farmer shut the gate, intent on catching him. When the lion discovered that he could not get out, he began at once to attack the sheep and then the oxen. So the farmer, now scared about his own life, opened the gate, and the lion made…

An ass and a cock lived together in a farmyard. One day a hungry lion passed by and saw the ass in such good condition that he decided to make a meal out of him. Now, they say that nothing irritates a lion so much as the crowing of a cock, and at that moment…

There was once a cat who fell in love with a young man and prayed to God to change her into a girl, hoping to win his affections. The goddess felt compassion for the cat and transformed her into a fair damsel. As a result, the young man fell in love with the beautiful young…

Once there was a city expecting to be attacked, and accordingly, a meeting was called to discuss the best means to defend it. A bricklayer claimed that brick was the best way to fortify the city. A carpenter suggested that timber was better. Finally a cobbler stood up and said, “Sirs, when all is said…