Aesop’s fables have been around for generations and still are a great resource to help teach children about doing the right thing. Free Download!
Short Kid Stories with a Lesson
Thanks to many wonderful writers we have all grown up with certain stories and fables that teach us about life. Aesop is one of those writers who have given us many interesting and great fables. Below is a list of free fables for children, each one with its own message. The majority are under one page in length and are a great way to start-up a conversation with your young children. These fables are free to use as you wish and are in pdf format for your convenience.
AESOP’s Fables
A Raven and a Swan – A Change of habits will not alter nature.
Belling the Cat – It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
Hercules and the Wagoner – Self help is the best help. Heaven helps those who help themselves.
Mercury and the Woodman – Honesty is the best policy.
The Ants and the Grasshopper – There is a time for work and a time for play.
The Astrologer – Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves.
The Bat and the Weasels – Set your sails with the wind.
The Bear and the Bees – It is wiser to bear a single injury in silence than to provoke a thousand by flying into a rage.
The Birds the Beasts and the Bat – The deceitful have no friends.
The Boy and the Filberts – Do not attempt too much at once.
The Boys and the Frogs – Always stop to think whether your fun may not be the cause of another’s unhappiness.
The Bull and the Goat – It is wicked to take advantage of another’s distress.
The Bundle of Sticks – In unity is strength.
The Cat and The Birds – Be wise and shun the quack.
The Cat the Rooster and the Young Mouse – Do not trust alone to outward appearances.
The Crow and the Pitcher – In a pinch a good use of our wits may help us out.
The Dog and His Masters Dinner – Do not stop to argue with temptation.
The Dog and the Oyster – Act in haste and repent to leisure – and often in pain.
The Dog in the Manger – Do not grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.
The Dogs and the Fox – It is easy and also contemptible to kick a man that is down.
The Dogs and the Hides – Do not try to do impossible things.
The Dog the Rooster and the Fox – Those who try to deceive may expect to be paid in their own coin.
The Donkey and His Driver – They who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.
The Donkey and the Grasshoppers – The laws of nature are unchangeable.
The Donkey and the Lap Dog – Do not try to gain favor by acting in a way that is contrary to your own nature and character.
The Donkey and the Load of Salt – The same measures will not suit all circumstances.
The Donkey Carrying the Image – Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.
The Donkey the Fox and the Lion – Traitors may expect treachery.
The Eagle and the Beetle – Even the weakest may find means to avenge a wrong.
The Eagle and the Jackdaw – Do not let your vanity make you overestimate your powers.
The Farmer and His Sons – Industry is itself a treasure.
The Farmer and the Cranes – Bluff and threatening words are of little value with rascals. Bluff is no proof that hard fists are lacking.
The Farmer and the Snake – Learn from my fate not to take pity on a scoundrel.
The Farmer and the Stork – You are judged by the company you keep.
The Fighting Bulls and the Frog – When the great fall out, the weak must suffer for it.
The Fox and the Crab – Be content with your lot.
The Fox and the Goat – Look before you leap.
The Fox and the Grapes – There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is beyond their reach.
The Fox and the Hedghog – Better to bear a lesser evil than to risk a greater in removing it.
The Fox and the Leopard – A fine coat is not always an indication of an attractive mind.
The Fox and the Lion – Acquaintance with evil blinds us to its dangers.
The Fox and the Stork – Do not play tricks on your neighbors unless you can stand the same treatment yourself.
The Frog and the Mouse – Those who seek to harm others often come to harm themselves through their own deceit.
The Frogs and the Ox – Do not attempt the impossible.
The Frogs Who Wished for a King – Be sure you can better your condition before you seek to change.
The Gnat and the Bull – The smaller the mind the greater the conceit.
The Goatherd and the Goat – Wicked deeds will not stay hid.
The Goatherd and the Wild Goats – It is unwise to treat old friends badly for the sake of new ones.
The Goose and the Golden Egg – Those who have plenty want more and so lose all they have.
The Hares and the Frogs – However unfortunate we may think we are there is always someone worse off than ourselves.
The Heron – Do not be too hard to suit or you may have to be content with the worst or with nothing at all.
The Kid and the Wolf – Do not say anything at any time that you would not say at all times.
The Leap at Rhodes – Deeds count, not boasting words.
The Lion and the Donkey – Do not resent the remarks of a fool. Ignore them.
The Lion and the Donkey 2 – The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten those who know him.
The Lion and the Gnat – The least of our enemies is often the most to be feared.
The Lion and the Mouse – A kindness is never wasted.
The Lion, the Bear, and the Fox – Those who have all the toil do not always get the profit.
The Man and the Lion – It all depends on the point of view, and who tells the story.
The Mice and the Weasels – Greatness has its penalties.
The Milkmaid and Her Pail – Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
The Miser – A possession is worth no more than the use we make of it.
The Monkey and the Camel – Do not try to imitate your betters.
The Monkey and the Cat – The flatterer seks some benefit at your expense.
The Monkey and the Dolphin – One falsehood leads to another.
The Mouse and the Weasel – Greediness leads to misfortune.
The Mule – Be sure of your pedigree before you boast of it.
The Oak and the Reeds – Better to yield when it is folly to resist, than to resist stubbornly and be destroyed.
The Old Lion and the Fox – Take warning from the misfortunes of others.
The Owl and the Grasshopper – Do not let flattery throw you off your guard against an enemy.
The Oxen and the Wheels – They complain most who suffer least.
The Peacock – Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show.
The Peacock and the Crane – The useful is of much more importance and value, than the ornamental.
The Plane Tree – Our best blessings are often the least appreciated.
The Rat, The Weasel and The Cat – The strong are apt to settle questions to their own advantage.
The Rat and the Elephant – A resemblance to the great in some things does not make us great.
The Rooster and The Fox – The trickster is easily tricked.
The Rooster and The Jewel – Precious things are without value to those who cannot prize them.
The Serpent and The Eagle – An act of kindness is well repaid.
The Sheep and The Pig – It is easy to be brave when there is no danger.
The Shepherd Boy and The Wolf – Liars are not believed even when they speak the truth.
The Sick Stag – Good will is worth nothing unless it is accompanied by good acts.
The Spendthrift and The Swallow – One swallow does not make a summer.
The Stag and His Reflection – We often make much of the ornamental and despise the useful.
The Tortoise and The Ducks – Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse – Poverty with security is better than plenty in the midst of fear and uncertainty.
The Travelers and The Purse – We cannot expect any one to share our misfortunes unless we are willing to share our good fortune also.
The Travelers and The Sea – Do not let your hopes carry you away from reality.
The Two Goats – It is better to yield than to come to misfortune through stubbornness.
The Two Pots – Equals make the best friends.
The Vain Jackdaw and His Borrowed Feathers – Borrowed feathers do not make fine birds.
The Wild Boar and the Fox – Preparedness for war is the best guarantee of peace.
The Wolf and His Shadow – Do not let your fancy make you forget realities.
The Wolf and the Crane – Expect no reward for serving the wicked.
The Wolf and the Donkey – Stick to your trade.
The Wolf and the Goat – An invitation prompted by selfishness is not to be accepted.
The Wolf and the House Dog – There is nothing worth so much as liberty.
The Wolf and the Kid – Do not let anything turn you from your purpose.
The Wolf and the Lamb – The tyrant can always find an excuse for his tyranny.
The Wolf and the Lean Dog – Take what you can get when you can get it.
The Wolf and the Lion – What is evil won is evil lost.
The Wolf and the Sheep – A knave’s hypocrisy is easily seen through.
The Wolf and the Shepherd – Once a wolf, always a wolf.
The Wolf and the Shepherd 2 – Men often condemn others for what they see no wrong in doing themselves.
The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – The evil doer often comes to harm through his own deceit.
The Young Crab and His Mother – Do not tell others how to act unless you can set a good example.
Three Bullocks and a Lion – In unity is strength.
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