The Dog & The Shadow

His image the Dog did not know,
Or his bone's, in the pond's painted show:
"T'other dog," so he thought
"Has got more than he ought,"
So he snapped, & his dinner saw go!

Greed Is Sometimes Caught By Its Own Bait

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 Old Man In Leather

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Miser & His Gold

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

There Was A Lady Loved A Swine

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Old Mother Hubbard

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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The Dog And His Image.

A foolish Dog, who carried in his jaw
A juicy bone,
Looked down into a stream, and there he saw
Another one,
Splash! In he plunged.. The image disappeared -
The meat he had was gone.
Indeed, he nearly sank,
And barely reached the bank.

Jean de La Fontaine

The Dog That Dropped The Substance For The Shadow.

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This world is full of shadow-chasers,
Most easily deceived.
Should I enumerate these racers,
I should not be believed.
I send them all to Aesop's dog,
Which, crossing water on a log,
Espied the meat he bore, below;
To seize its image, let it go;
Plunged in; to reach the shore was glad,
With neither what he hoped, nor what he'd had.

Jean de La Fontaine

The Deer & The Lion

From the hounds the swift Deer sped away,
To his cave, where in past times he lay
Well concealed; unaware
Of a Lion couched there,
For a spring that soon made him his prey.

Fate Can Meet As Well As Follow

Walter Crane

The Dog In The Manger

A Cow sought a mouthful of hay;
But a Dog in the manger there lay,
And he snapped out "how now?"
When most mildly, the Cow
Adventured a morsel to pray.

Don't Be Selfish

Walter Crane

The Cat And The Fox

The Fox said "I can play, when it fits,
Many wiles that with man make me quits."
"But my trick's up a tree!"
Said the Cat, safe to see
Clever Fox hunted out of his wits.

Trust To Skill Rather Than Wit

Walter Crane

The Stag In The Ox Stall

Safe enough lay the poor hunted Deer
In the ox-stall, with nothing to fear
From the careless-eyed men:
Till the Master came; then
There was no hiding-place for the Deer.

An Eye Is Keen In Its Own Interest

Walter Crane