re standards of what such retellings should
be, and may well serve as models for teachers
in their presentation of other short symbolic
stories. The introduction, "A Short History of
the AEsopic Fable," and the notes at the end of
the book contain, in concise form, all the
practical information needed. The text of the
Jacobs versions was the one selected for
reproduction in Dr. Eliot's _Harvard Classics_.
Nos. 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 213, and 233 in
the following group are by Mr. Jacobs. The
other AEsopic fables given are from various
collections of the traditional versions. Almost
any of the many reprints called AEsop are
satisfactory for fables not found in Jacobs.
Perhaps the one most common in recent times is
that made by Thomas James in 1848, which had
the good fortune to be illustrated by Tenniel.
The versions are brief and not overloaded with
editorial "filling."

205

THE SHEPHERD'S BOY

There was once a young Shepherd Boy who tended his sheep at the foot of
a mountain near a dark forest. It was rather lonely for him all day, so
he thought upon a plan by which he could get a little company and some
excitement. He rushed down towards the village calling out "Wolf! Wolf!"
and the villagers came out to meet him, and some of them stopped with
him for a considerable time. This pleased the boy so much that a few
days afterwards he tried the same trick, and again the villagers came to
his help. But shortly after this a Wolf actually did come out from the
forest, and began to worry the sheep, and the boy of course cried out
"Wolf! Wolf!" still louder than before. But this time the villagers, who
had been fooled twice before, thought the boy was again deceiving them,
and nobody stirred to come to his help. So the Wolf made a good meal off
the boy's flock, and when the boy complained, the wise man of the
village said:

"_A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth._"

206

THE LION AND THE MOUSE

Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running up and down
upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placed his huge paw upon him
and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Pardon, O King," cried the
little Mouse; "forgive me this time; I shall never forget it. Who knows
but what I may be able to do you a good turn some of these days?