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Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)

108. A FISHERMAN AND HIS PIPE (Perry 11)

A Fisherman that understood Piping better than Netting, set himself down upon the side of a River, and touch’d his Flute, but not a Fish came near him. Upon this, he laid down his Pipe and cast his Net, which brought him a very great Draught. The Fish fell a frisking in the Net, and the Fisherman observing it; what Sots are these (says he) that would not dance when I play’d to ‘em, and will be dancing now without Musick!
THE MORAL. There are certain Rules and Methods for the doing of all Things in this World; and therefore let every Man stick to the Business he understands, and was brought up to, without making one Profession interfere with another.


L'Estrange originally published his version of the fables in 1692. There is a very nice illustrated edition in the Children's Classics series by Knopf: Sir Roger L'Estrange. Aesop - Fables which is available at amazon.com.