The Cock, The Ass & The Lion

The Ass gave a horrible bray,
Cock crowed; Lion scampered away;
Ass judged he was scared
By the bray, and so dared
To pursue; Lion ate him they say.

Don't Take All The Credit To Yourself

Walter Crane

Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator, considered to be one of the most prolific and influential children's book creators of his generation. Born on August 15, 1845, and passing away on March 14, 1915, he was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and is known for his innovative contributions to children's literature. His work often combined art and poetry, aiming to educate and delight young readers.

Walter Crane

The Four Presents

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Looby Light

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Porcupine, Snake, & Company

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Zwei Hasen

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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The Ass & The Sick Lion

Crafty Lion,--perhaps with the gout,
Kept his cave; where, to solve any doubt,
Many visitors go:
But the Ass, he said "No!
They go in, but I've seen none come out."

Reason From Results

Walter Crane

The Ass In The Lion's Skin

"What pranks I shall play!" thought the Ass,
"In this skin for a Lion to pass;"
But he left one ear out,
And a hiding, no doubt,
"Lion" had--on the skin of an Ass!

Imposters Generally Forget Something

Walter Crane

The Lion And The Ass Hunting.

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The king of animals, with royal grace,
Would celebrate his birthday in the chase.
'Twas not with bow and arrows,
To slay some wretched sparrows;
The lion hunts the wild boar of the wood,
The antlered deer and stags, the fat and good.
This time, the king, t' insure success,
Took for his aide-de-camp an ass,
A creature of stentorian voice,
That felt much honour'd by the choice.
The lion hid him in a proper station,
And order'd him to bray, for his vocation,
Assured that his tempestuous cry
The boldest beasts would terrify,
And cause them from their lairs to fly.
And, sooth, the horrid noise the creature made
Did strike the tenants of the wood with dread;
And, as they headlong fled,
All fell within the lion's ambuscade.
'H...

Jean de La Fontaine

The Eagle And The Crow

The Eagle flew off with a lamb;
Then the Crow thought to lift an old ram,
In his eaglish conceit,
The wool tangled his feet,
And the shepherd laid hold of the sham.

Beware Of Overrating Your Own Powers

Walter Crane

The Lion In Love

Though the Lion in love let them draw
All his teeth, and pare down every claw,
He'd no bride for his pains,
For they beat out his brains
Ere he set on his maiden a paw.

Our Very Means May Defeat Our Ends

Walter Crane

Lion And Cub.

        All men are fond of rule and place,
        Though granted by the mean and base;
        Yet all superior merit fly,
        Nor will endure an equal nigh.
        They o'er some ale-house club preside
        With smoke and joke and paltry pride.
        Nay, e'en with blockheads pass the night;
        If such can read, to such I write.

        A lion cub of sordid mind
        Avoided all the lion-kind,
        And, greedy of applause, sought feasts
        With asses and ignoble beasts;
        There, as their president appears,
        An ass in every point, but ears.
        If he would perpetrate a joke,
        They brayed applause before he spoke;
        And when he spoke, with shout they praised,
        And said he beautifully br...

John Gay