This dataset contains a collection of fables attributed to Aesop, featuring various moral lessons. Each entry includes a title, the author, a brief summary of the fable, its moral lesson, and the setting in which the story takes place.
| Title | Author | Summary | Moral | Setting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Tortoise and the Hare | Aesop | A slow but steady tortoise wins a race against a swift but arrogant hare. | Slow and steady wins the race. | A forest |
| The Fox and the Grapes | Aesop | A hungry fox sees grapes out of reach and dismisses them as sour. | It's easy to despise what you cannot have. | A vineyard |
| The Boy Who Cried Wolf | Aesop | A shepherd boy repeatedly tricks villagers into thinking a wolf is attacking until a real wolf appears. | Liars are not believed even when they tell the truth. | A village |
| The Ant and the Grasshopper | Aesop | An ant works hard to gather food for winter while a grasshopper plays without worry; the ant survives while the grasshopper suffers. | Prepare today for the needs of tomorrow. | Summer field |
| The Lion and the Mouse | Aesop | A small mouse helps a mighty lion escape a hunter's net, proving that even the smallest can be of help to the mighty. | No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. | A jungle |
| The Crow and the Pitcher | Aesop | A thirsty crow cleverly drops pebbles into a pitcher to raise the water level and quench its thirst. | Necessity is the mother of invention. | A village well |
| The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs | Aesop | A farmer who kills his goose that lays golden eggs in hopes of getting more is left with nothing. | Greed often overreaches itself. | A farmhouse |
| The Fox and the Crow | Aesop | A crow is tricked by a sly fox into dropping her cheese by flattering her singing. | Beware of flatterers. | A forest |
| The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing | Aesop | A wolf disguises himself as a sheep to infiltrate the flock but is ultimately discovered. | Appearances can be deceiving. | A pasture |
| Belling the Cat | Aesop | Mice plot to bell the cat to make him easier to avoid, but no one is brave enough to do it. | Easier said than done. | A mouse community |
| The Dog and the Shadow | Aesop | A dog loses its food while trying to grab at a shadow of another piece of meat. | Don't be greedy. | A riverbank |
| The Farmer and the Stork | Aesop | A farmer catches a stork in his net with some cranes and does not let it go, reminding it that it was with the wrong company. | You are judged by the company you keep. | A field |
| The Mouse and the Lion | Aesop | A mouse helps free a lion from a hunter's net, proving that kindness is never wasted. | Little friends may prove great friends. | A jungle |
| The Bundle of Sticks | Aesop | A father teaches his sons that while individual sticks are weak, bundled together they are strong. | Unity is strength. | A homestead |
| The Wind and the Sun | Aesop | The wind and sun compete to see who can get a traveler to remove his coat; the sun wins by warming him. | Gentleness and kind persuasion win where force fails. | A sunny path |
| The Last Leaf | O. Henry | A sick girl believes she will die when the last leaf falls from a vine, but an artist paints a leaf to give her hope. | Hope can be life-saving. | A city apartment building |
| The Lion's Share | Aesop | When a lion shares a hunt with other animals, he claims the best parts, teaching that the powerful take the most. | Might makes right. | A savannah |
| The ant and the butterfly | Unknown | An ant criticizes a butterfly for being carefree, but the butterfly teaches the ant about joy. | Life is short; enjoy it. | A sunny garden |
| The rabbit and the turtle | Unknown | A boastful rabbit races with a slow turtle, but the turtle wins through persistence. | Never underestimate others. | A meadow |
| The two frogs | Unknown | Two frogs find themselves in a pot of milk, and one gives up, while the other keeps swimming until the milk turns to butter. | Never give up. | A dairy farm |
| The oak and the reed | Unknown | An oak tree is proud and refuses to bend in a storm, while a reed survives by bending. | Flexibility can save you. | A riverbank |
| The wolf and the crane | Aesop | A crane helps a wolf eat by removing a bone from its throat, but the wolf does not reward her. | Don't expect gratitude from the ungrateful. | A forest |
| The hare and the hedgehog | Unknown | A hedgehog outsmarts a hare in a race, proving that wit can conquer speed. | Cleverness can win over swiftness. | A hilly terrain |
| The monkey and the dolphin | Unknown | A monkey is saved by a dolphin but when asked for help, it betrays the dolphin. | Be wary of those who betray trust. | A coastal area |
| The fox and the stork | Aesop | A fox invites a stork to dinner and serves food in a shallow dish; the stork reciprocates with a tall jar. | Treat others as you wish to be treated. | A forest |
| The sparrow and the owl | Unknown | A sparrow seeks wisdom from an owl but learns that wisdom often comes with a price. | Wisdom is valuable but not free. | A tree |
| The story of the fir tree | Hans Christian Andersen | A fir tree wishes to grow up quickly to be used by people, only to regret longing for the outside. | Appreciate where you are now. | A forest |
| The fox, the grapes, and the hen | Unknown | A fox tricks a hen into giving up her eggs for a promise of safety. | Beware of deceit and trusting too quickly. | A farm |
| The rabbit and the monkey | Unknown | A rabbit and monkey compete to see who can catch the most food, but they learn cooperation is key. | Two can do more than one. | A forest clearing |
| The golden touch | Midas mythology | King Midas gets everything he touches turning to gold but later regrets his wish. | Be careful what you wish for. | A royal palace |
| The magic fish | Grimm Brothers | A fisherman releases a fish that grants wishes, but his greedy wife ultimately loses everything. | Greed brings ruin. | An ocean shore |
| The princess and the pea | Hans Christian Andersen | A prince tests a girl's sensitivity to prove she is a true princess by placing a pea under twenty mattresses. | True identity can't be hidden. | A castle |
| The ugly duckling | Hans Christian Andersen | An ugly duckling grows into a beautiful swan, teaching that beauty is often unseen at first. | Don't judge by appearances. | A pond |
| The little match girl | Hans Christian Andersen | A poor girl tries to sell matches in the cold and finds warmth in her dreams before dying. | Cherish the warmth of love and family. | A snowy street |
| The elf and the shoemaker | Grimm Brothers | A shoemaker is helped by elves who make shoes at night, leading to his success. | Kindness is often rewarded unexpectedly. | A workshop |
| The golden egg | Brothers Grimm | A hen lays a golden egg daily until the farmer's greed leads to disaster. | Greed leads to poverty. | A farm |
| The wise old owl | Unknown | An old owl advises the animals in the forest, guiding them with sage wisdom. | Wisdom comes with age and experience. | A wooded area |
| The fox and the lion | Aesop | A fox encounters a lion and learns that fear is often more daunting than reality. | Fear of the unknown is often worse than the threat. | A savannah |
| The gingerbread man | Unknown | A gingerbread man escapes from various pursuers until a clever fox eats him. | Innocence can lead to danger and adventure. | A kitchen |
| The boy and the filberts | Aesop | A boy reaches into a jar for filberts and gets his hand stuck because he wants too much. | Greed can lead to loss. | A countryside |
| The stubborn donkey | Unknown | A donkey stubbornly refuses to move and ends up stuck in mud, teaching the need for cooperation. | Be adaptable to your circumstances. | A farm area |
| The lion and the mouse | Aesop | A mouse's act of kindness towards a lion leads to unexpected help in return. | Even the smallest friend can be of great help. | A jungle |
| Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Grimm Brothers | Snow White finds refuge with seven dwarfs as she flees from a wicked queen. | Beauty and kindness prevail against evil. | A forest |
| Cinderella | Grimm Brothers | A kind girl, mistreated by her stepmother, finds true love with the help of magical creatures. | Goodness will be rewarded. | A kingdom |
| Aladdin and the Magic Lamp | One Thousand and One Nights | A poor young man finds a magical lamp that grants him wishes, leading to a fantastic life. | Wealth can come from the most unexpected places. | A marketplace |
| The ant and the dove | Aesop | An ant saves a dove from drowning, and in return, the dove helps the ant in its time of need. | One good turn deserves another. | A riverbank |
| The lion and the mouse | Aesop | A lion spares a mouse who later helps rescue him from a trap. | Acts of kindness are never wasted. | A jungle |
| The tale of the two goats | Aesop | Two goats meet on a narrow bridge and refuse to budge, leading to their downfall. | Compromise is vital. | A bridge |
| The fox and the crow | Aesop | A clever fox tricks a crow into dropping her food by complimenting her singing. | Don't be fooled by flattery. | A forest |
| The mouse's wedding | Grimm Brothers | A mouse seeks a husband who can protect her, but her choices are disappointing until an unexpected suitor appears. | True value is found in unexpected places. | A field |
| The farmer and the wolf | Unknown | A farmer tricks a wolf into thinking he has goats but captures it instead, teaching cleverness over brute strength. | Intelligence can prevail over force. | A farm |
| The crab and its mother | Unknown | A mother crab scolds her child for walking sideways, only to be told she does the same. | Practice what you preach. | A beach |
| The wind and the sun | Aesop | The wind and the sun compete to make a traveler remove his coat; the sun wins by being gentle. | Gentle persuasion is often more effective than force. | A sunny hill |
| The tortoise and the eagle | Unknown | A tortoise dreams of flying and rides on an eagle's back, but falls back to earth, teaching limits. | Know your limits. | A mountain |
| The golden fish | Unknown | A fisherman catches a magical fish that grants wishes, but his wife's greed leads to their downfall. | Greed destroys happiness. | A seaside |
| The story of the butterfly | Unknown | A boy watches a butterfly struggle to emerge from its cocoon and learns that struggle is necessary for growth. | Growth requires effort and struggle. | A garden |
| The lion princess | Unknown | A princess raised by lions learns the importance of understanding both worlds she belongs to. | Understanding both sides brings harmony. | A savanna |
| The dragon and the knight | Unknown | A knight seeks fame by slaying a dragon but learns to understand the dragon instead. | Understanding fosters peace. | A castle |
| The fairy with the wand | Unknown | A fairy grants wishes to those who show kindness, teaching that true magic lies in goodness. | Kindness is the greatest magic. | A forest |
| The tale of the lonely tree | Unknown | A lonely tree learns that sharing its shade brings happiness to others and to itself. | True happiness comes from sharing. | A meadow |
| The snowman and the sun | Unknown | A snowman and the sun converse, leading to an understanding that change is necessary. | Change is the only constant. | A winter field |
| The clever hen | Unknown | A hen outsmarts a fox to save her chicks, proving that wits can outsmart strength. | Cleverness and cunning can overcome might. | A farm |
| The quest for the silver unicorn | Unknown | A young girl embarks on a quest to find a mythical unicorn, learning independence and courage. | Courage brings great adventures. | A magical forest |
| The elephant and the mouse | Unknown | A tiny mouse teaches a giant elephant that size does not matter in friendship. | Friendship knows no size. | A jungle |
| The four clever animals | Unknown | Four animals work together to overcome a disruption in their home, proving that teamwork is essential. | Teamwork can overcome obstacles. | A farm |
| The old tree and the sapling | Unknown | An old tree offers wisdom to a young sapling about growing strong against the wind. | Wisdom of elders can guide the young. | A forest |
| The musical frogs | Unknown | A group of frogs forms a band, teaching everyone to appreciate their talents and work together. | Everyone has a unique talent. | A pond |
| The stitch in time | Unknown | A tailor teaches a lesson about being proactive and fixing mistakes before they grow. | Preventive action is better than a cure. | A bustling town |
| The kitten who wanted to be a lion | Unknown | A kitten learns that it can be brave and strong in its own way, proving true strength comes from character. | Bravery comes in all sizes. | A home |
| The owl and the sparrow | Unknown | An owl gives advice to a sparrow about the importance of nighttime, leading to friendships and understanding. | Friends can come from different worlds. | A tree in the park |
| The song of the river | Unknown | A river teaches the creatures along its banks to appreciate life's journey over the destination. | Life is a journey, not a destination. | A flowing river |
| The grapes of wisdom | Unknown | A bunch of grapes teaches the vine about the importance of working together and sharing the sunlight. | Unity brings strength and growth. | A vineyard |
| The lazy panda | Unknown | A lazy panda learns the importance of hard work and responsibility from his diligent friends. | Hard work leads to fortune. | A bamboo forest |
| The magical forest | Unknown | An enchanted forest helps a lost wanderer find their way back to joy and adventure in life. | Adventure lies in every corner of life. | An enchanted landscape |
| The singing corn | Unknown | Plants in a field learn that joy and singing can uplift even the heaviest of days. | Joy can uplift spirits. | A cornfield |
| The two neighbors | Unknown | Two neighbors learn to work together despite their differences and achieve great things. | Unity over division strengthens communities. | A small town |
| The grasshoppers' dance | Unknown | A colony of grasshoppers learns to appreciate teamwork and community spirit through dance. | Teamwork enriches our lives. | A field |
| The traveler and the mountain | Unknown | A traveler learns that overcoming personal mountains leads to growth and clarity in life. | Face your challenges with bravery. | A mountain range |
| The caring bee | Unknown | A bee goes beyond its call of duty to save a flower in distress, proving empathy is powerful. | Empathy bridges gaps. | A garden |
| The friendship of the stones | Unknown | Two stones become friends, teaching others about diversity and tolerance despite their differences. | Differences can unite us. | A rocky landscape |
| The wise tortoise and the hare | Unknown | The tortoise teaches the hare a lesson of patience and humility during their next race. | Patience prevails in the end. | A grassy knoll |
| The proud peacock | Unknown | A proud peacock learns a valuable lesson about humility from the other birds in the sky. | Humility brings respect. | A garden |
| The little ant that could | Unknown | A little ant proves to be a hero when it saves its colony from a flood, demonstrating that no one is too small to make a difference. | Every effort counts, no matter the size. | A meadow |
| The colors of the rainbow | Unknown | Seven colors of the rainbow learn the importance of working together and celebrate diversity. | Diversity makes us strong. | In the sky |
| The goldfish's wish | Unknown | A goldfish teaches a young child about the importance of appreciating simple things in life over material wealth. | True happiness is not found in possessions. | A fishbowl |
| The wise old tortoise | Unknown | A tortoise shares sage advice with the younger creatures about the wisdom of patience. | Patience is a virtue. | A tranquil pond |
| The curious firefly | Unknown | A firefly learns the importance of contentment instead of constantly searching for more. | Value what you have. | An evening meadow |
| The joyful little flower | Unknown | A flower teaches the garden about spreading joy and love despite hardships. | Joy spreads like seeds in the wind. | A garden |
| The adventures of the curious mice | Unknown | A group of curious mice explores the world, discovering the importance of friendship and safety. | Explore but remember safety in numbers. | A house |
| The grateful heart | Unknown | A young girl learns the importance of gratitude in her journey through life. | Gratitude brings joy. | A small village |
| The journey of the little boat | Unknown | A little boat's journey across the ocean teaches about perseverance against the odds. | Every journey has its value. | An ocean |
| The adventure of the lost kitten | Unknown | A lost kitten learns the importance of community helping one another in times of need. | Helping each other builds community. | A neighborhood |