Character collection
Humans
Stories about farmers, travelers, workers and other human characters.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
A liar will not be believed, even when he speaks the truth.
The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs
Greed often overreaches itself and loses everything it has.
The Bundle of Sticks
Unity is strength.
The Milkmaid and Her Pail
Do not count your chickens before they are hatched.
The Fisherman and the Little Fish
A small gain today is better than the promise of a big one tomorrow.
The Farmer and His Sons
Industry is itself a treasure.
The Bear and the Two Travelers
A true friend is one who stands by you in times of trouble.
The Miser and His Gold
Possessions are worth nothing if they are not put to good use.
The Farmer and the Stork
You are judged by the company you keep.
The Horse and the Groom
A master's eye is the best nourishment for his horse.
The Miller, His Son, and the Donkey
If you try to please everyone, you will end up pleasing no one.
The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner
He who incites others to strife is just as guilty as those who actually fight.
The Belly and the Members
In a society or body, everyone must work together for the common good, as the success of the whole depends on the contribution of each part.
The Lion and the Statue
It is easy to be brave when the story is told by the victor.
The Wolf and the Shepherds
It is easy to criticize others for the very faults we ourselves possess.
The Farmer and the Snake
Kindness is wasted on the wicked, for malice remains in their nature regardless of how they are treated.
The Fox and the Woodcutter
Actions speak louder than words, and a true friend is known by their deeds, not their promises.
The Shepherd and the Sea
Do not trust the calm appearance of things that have shown themselves to be treacherous.
The Horse, Hunter, and Stag
He who seeks revenge for a small injury often pays a much higher price with his own freedom.
The Travelers and the Plane Tree
Be grateful for the quiet blessings that improve our lives, even when they seem unremarkable.
The Bald Man and the Fly
It is foolish to punish oneself for the annoying actions of another.
The Spendthrift and the Swallow
One swallow does not make a summer, nor does a single sign of good fortune guarantee a lifetime of prosperity.
The Fisherman Piping
Things done out of season lose their charm and effectiveness.
The Astronomer
It is foolish to ignore the immediate realities of life while obsessing over distant, abstract possibilities.