Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
114. FISHERMEN DISAPPOINTED (Perry 13)
Some Fishermen that had been out a whole Day with a drag-Net, and caught
nothing, had a Draught toward the Evening, that came home very heavy,
which put ‘em in hope of a Sturgeon at least; but upon bringing the Net
a-shore, it prov’d to be only one great Stone, and a few little Fishes.
Upon this Disappointment they were down in the Mouth again; but says one
of the Company that was a little graver than the rest, you are to consider,
my Masters, that Joy and Sorrow are two Sisters that follow one another
by Turns.
THE MORAL. All our Purchases in this World are but the catching of
a Tartar, as we say, but it is some Comfort yet to consider, that when
Things are at worst they’ll mend.
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.
|