The Fables of Aesop
Classic Collector'S Series
on Goodreads (127,783)
What’s inside...
A reprint of an illustrated collection of over 300 fables from Aesop, originally published in 1909.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
0-12
Length
152 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the moral of the story is, and why is it important?
How would you feel if you were in the shoes of the main character?
Can you think of a time when you faced a similar challenge as the one in the fable?
What would you have done differently if you were in this story?
How do the actions of the characters teach us about kindness or honesty?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, reinforcing that all interpretations are valued.
Discuss the morals and lessons within each fable, relating them to everyday situations your child might encounter.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character from the fable, and explain why they chose it.
Create a simple role-play activity where you and your child act out a fable, helping to deepen their understanding of the story’s message.
Praise your child’s responses and insights, fostering a positive and supportive atmosphere for discussion.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: In 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf', a shepherd boy repeatedly tricks nearby villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking his flock. When a wolf actually appears, the villagers believe it's another false alarm and fail to come to his aid, leading to a dire consequence.
Real-World Application: This story teaches children the importance of being truthful and the potential negative consequences of lying. In everyday life, being honest builds trust and credibility with friends, family, and teachers.
Example Lesson: Slow and steady wins the race
Explanation: In 'The Tortoise and the Hare', an overly confident hare ridicules a slow-moving tortoise and decides to nap during the race, assuming he'll easily win. The tortoise continues at a steady pace, ultimately winning the race while the hare sleeps.
Real-World Application: This fable highlights the value of persistence and consistent effort in achieving goals. Children can apply this lesson by working steadily on their school projects or practicing a skill regularly, rather than rushing or giving up.
Example Lesson: Necessity is the mother of invention
Explanation: In 'The Crow and the Pitcher', a thirsty crow comes across a pitcher with water at the bottom, beyond the reach of its beak. After failing to push over the pitcher, the crow drops stones into it, raising the water level until it can drink.
Real-World Application: This story teaches children about problem-solving and resourcefulness in difficult situations. Kids can learn to think creatively to overcome obstacles, whether it's finding a way to reach a high shelf or coming up with a new approach to a challenging homework assignment.
Example Lesson: Kindness is rewarding
Explanation: In 'The Lion and the Mouse', a lion spares a mouse that he initially planned to eat. Later, the grateful mouse helps the lion by gnawing through ropes of a hunter's net, freeing the lion.
Real-World Application: This fable conveys the importance of showing kindness to others, regardless of their size or strength. Children can apply this lesson by helping peers in need or being compassionate towards animals and people in their community.
Example Lesson: Appearances can be deceiving
Explanation: In 'The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing', a wolf disguises itself in sheep's skin to trick the shepherd and eat the sheep. However, the shepherd grows suspicious and captures the wolf.
Real-World Application: This fable warns about the risks of judging based solely on appearances. Children can learn to be cautious and look deeper than the surface, whether it's in choosing friends or evaluating situations.