Discovering Timeless Wisdom: Aesop

Hey there, fellow readers! Today, I want to talk about one of my favorite things - Aesop's fable stories. These stories are entertaining and contain valuable life lessons that are still relevant today.

When I was growing up, Some Deaf women used to come to our school, Kentucky School for the Deaf, and told us some great children's stories on one of those evenings, and I believe they were some stories from Aesop's fables. One elderly woman, in particular, was a mesmerizing storyteller. She was a retired teacher who loved to share her stories. I always looked forward to sitting close by and listening to her tales. Her bold and expressive style made the stories come alive in my mind, and I even memorized some of them. I was in awe. When she finished telling a story, or two, I always was anxious for some more next time. When I heard that she would come for more stories, I hurried and got the best seating to be close to her and listened to her stories. She was one of the best storytellers. She made me love reading various stories and got into reading books today.

For those unfamiliar with Aesop's fables, they are a collection of short stories written by Aesop, a Greek storyteller. He used his wit and wisdom to create a collection of short stories known as Aesop's Fables. Each fable is usually less than a page long and features animals or other non-human characters that are anthropomorphized and act out a story with a moral lesson.

Who is Aesop?

Aesop, the renowned Greek storyteller who lived in the 6th century BC, was no ordinary figure. Some historians suggested that he was born in Phrygia, while others suggested that he was born in Samos or Egypt. He was a slave hailing from Samos, a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea, south of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese, and off the coast of western Turkey.

In his stories, Aesop was a slave. However, it is unclear which type of slavery he experienced. In ancient Greece, slavery was widespread with two types of slaves: dolos (born into slavery) and andrapodon (captured and forced into slavery). They were treated as property and used for manual labor or household work. While some gained freedom through buying it or being granted manumission, slavery was not limited to Greeks but extended to non-Greek individuals like Persians or Thracians.

Herodotus suggests the latter, claiming that Aesop became a slave after being captured as a prisoner of war in Thrace alongside the notorious courtesan Rhodopids.

Aesop was first owned by a philosopher named Xanthus and later by a man named iadmon. According to Herodotus, iadmon freed Aesop as a reward for his remarkable intelligence and wit. However, an alternate version of Aesop's life suggests that Xanthus was the one who freed him, not iadmon. Regardless of who granted his freedom, everyone agrees on how he achieved it.

Legend has it that Aesop was ugly, with a large head, fat belly, bug eyes, and misshapen facial features. He was short with swarthy skin. Himerius, in the 4th century, wrote that Aesop was made fun of for his looks and voice. Furthermore, Aesop couldn't speak in his early life, and there are different stories of how he became mute, but one popular version is that he was born that way. Some legends say that his muteness was a gift from the gods, allowing him to understand human nature better.

Aesop traveled extensively and met many influential people of his time. One such person was Solon, the Athenian statesman, and lawmaker. Solon was so impressed with Aesop's intelligence and wit that he invited him to live in Athens, where he became part of the city's intellectual and cultural elite. Aesop also met Croesus, the wealthy king of Lydia, who was equally impressed with his talents and offered him a position at his court.

Although Aesop experienced many successes, his life was challenging. He was accused of stealing from a temple and put on trial. Although he was ultimately acquitted, the experience left him shaken and disillusioned. A few years later, Aesop died while staying in Delphi, a town known for its famous oracle and religious significance.

The Origin of Aesop's Fables

Originally, Aesop's fables were a part of oral tradition and weren't gathered until three centuries after Aesop's passing. It is possible that some of Aesop's fables were influenced by Indian and Buddhist traditions, which were brought to Greece by traveling merchants and monks from the Indian subcontinent. The unclear authorship of these fables can be attributed to the storytelling tradition, where many details are naturally lost or changed.

The fables have diverse origins and date back much earlier than Aesop. Some may have originated in Sumeria, Egypt, India, or China and were transmitted orally through various cultures and languages. Some of them may have been influenced by the animal stories of the Panchatantra, a Sanskrit collection of fables from India that dates back to the 3rd century BCE or earlier. Others may have been derived from Greek myths, legends, proverbs, or jokes.

The first written collection of fables attributed to Aesop dates back to the 4th century BCE but no longer exists. The oldest surviving collection is the Aesopica, a Greek manuscript from the 10th century CE that contains 358 fables. Later collections in Latin, Arabic, Hebrew, and other languages added more fables and variations to the corpus. The most famous Latin version is by Phaedrus, a freedman of Augustus who wrote in the 1st century CE. The most famous English version is by William Caxton, who printed the first edition of Aesop's Fables in 1484.

The bottom line: It is uncertain how Aesop came up with his fables, as historians have varying beliefs. Some claim that he created them himself, while others argue that he adapted existing folktales and legends to fit his purpose. Despite their unknown origin, Aesop's fables have been cherished for centuries and continue to captivate many.

My Favorite Aesop Fables: Timeless Lessons for All Ages

One of my favorite Aesop fables is "The Tortoise & the Hare." This story teaches us that slow and steady wins the race. In the story, the hare is overconfident and takes a nap during the race, allowing the tortoise to win. This fable reminds us of the importance of perseverance and not underestimating our opponents. It is a great story for anyone who needs motivation to keep going, even if the odds are against them.

Another classic Aesop fable is "The Shepherd Boy & the Wolf." This story teaches us the importance of honesty and trustworthiness. In the story, a boy repeatedly cries wolf to trick the villagers, but when a real wolf appears, nobody believes him, and the wolf ends up attacking the villagers' sheep. This fable reminds us that lying can have serious consequences and that we should strive to be truthful. It is a valuable lesson for both children and adults, especially in a world where honesty is often undervalued.

Many other Aesop fables are just as entertaining and valuable. Some of my other favorites include "The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing," "The Lion & the Mouse," and "The Two Goats." Each of these stories teaches us something important about the world and how we interact with it.

Aesop's fables have been cherished for centuries, translated into numerous languages, and transformed into various media formats, including movies and TV shows. These enjoyable tales entertain and impart valuable life lessons to readers of all ages. Their enduring popularity is a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Whether you are young or old, these stories provide meaningful insights into the intricacies of our world.

Aesop's fable stories are not just for children; they contain timeless lessons that are still relevant today. So, the next time you have a chance, pick up an Aesop fable and see what valuable lesson it holds. Whether you are looking for motivation, guidance, or a good story, Aesop's fable stories have something for everyone. What are your favorite Aesop fable stories? You can list more than one if you like.