The Charcoal-Burner and the Fuller
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull
The Pomegranate, Apple-Tree, and Bramble
The Ass, the Fox, and the Lion
The Bear and the Two Travelers
The Piglet, the Sheep, and the Goat
The Lion, the Mouse, and the Fox
The Goatherd and the Wild Goats
The Man and His Two Sweethearts
The Old Woman and the Physician
The Fighting Cocks and the Eagle
The Widow and Her Little Maidens
The Shepherd’s Boy and the Wolf
The Father and His Two Daughters
The Swallow, the Serpent, and the Court of Justice
The Mouse, the Frog, and the Hawk
The Huntsman and the Fisherman
The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar
The Hawk, the Kite, and the Pigeons
The Ass, the Cock, and the Lion
The Dolphins, the Whales, and the Sprat
The Fisherman and the Little Fish
The Birdcatcher, the Partridge, and the Cock
The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox
The Philosopher, the Ants, and Mercury
The Image of Mercury and the Carpenter
The Lion, the Fox, and the Ass
The Bull, the Lioness, and the Wild-Boar Hunter
The Stag, the Wolf, and the Sheep
The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow
The Man, the Horse, the Ox, and the Dog
The Apes and the Two Travelers
The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox
The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape
The Wasps, the Partridges, and the Farmer
The Gamecocks and the Partridge
The Lion, the Wolf, and the Fox
The Birds, the Beasts, and the Bat
The Spendthrift and the Swallow
Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus
The Peasant and the Apple-Tree
The Two Soldiers and the Robber
The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods
The Buffoon and the Countryman
The King’s Son and the Painted Lion
The She-Goats and Their Beards
The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass
The Travelers and the Plane-Tree
The Lion, Jupiter, and the Elephant
The Shipwrecked Man and the Sea
ACCORDING to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Jupiter, the first bull by Neptune, and the first house by Minerva. On the completion of their labors, a dispute arose as to which had made the most perfect work. They agreed to appoint Momus as judge, and to abide by his decision. Momus, however, being very envious of the handicraft of each, found fault with all. He first blamed the work of Neptune because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he might better see where to strike. He then condemned the work of Jupiter, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside, that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take precautions against the intended mischief. And, lastly, he inveighed against Minerva because she had not contrived iron wheels in the foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if a neighbor proved unpleasant. Jupiter, indignant at such inveterate faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from the mansions of Olympus.