<< Home Page | L'Estrange Index

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.