aesop's lesser-known fables

The ant toiled away while the grasshopper played, and very ill indeed it went for the grasshopper when winter came. The Thracian slave Aesop came up with that story in mid-sixth century BC Greece, and people learn and consider the tale to this day. How about sour grapes? Aesop told that story in "The Fox and the Grapes." Slow and steady wins the race? That's him again: "The Tortoise and the Hare."

But did you ever hear of "The Hare with Many Friends," who had no friends at all when it counted? Or "The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow," in which a cat (unfortunately) uses her gossiping tongue for her own selfish ends? Or perhaps you have puzzled over someone's passive-aggressive behavior, in which case you'll appreciate "The Dog and the Hare."

You will find all three at this online collection of Aesop's Fables, neatly arranged with the lesson told out for you next to each title. I'll let you scroll through the list (it's alphabetical) so you may see all the others you don't know. I'm fond of "The Cat and Venus": "A cat fell in love with a handsome young man . . ."