Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
139. A FLEA AND HERCULES (Perry 231)
There was a Fellow, that upon a Flea-biting call’d out to Hercules for
Help. The Flea gets away, and the Man expostulates upon the Matter. Well,
Hercules; (says he) you that would not take my part against a sorry Flea,
will never stand by me in a time of Need, against a more powerful Enemy.
THE MORAL. We neglect God in greater Matters, and petition him for
Trifles, nay, and take pet at last if we cannot have our Askings.
 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.
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