Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
6. A DOG AND A SHADOW (Perry 133)
As a dog was crossing a River with a Morsel of good Flesh in his Mouth,
he saw (as he thought) another Dog under the Water upon the very same
Adventure. He never consider’d that the one was only the Image of the
other, but out of a Greediness to get both, he chops at the Shadow, and
loses the Substance.
THE MORAL All covet, all lose; which may serve for a Reproof to those
that govern their Lives by Fancy and Appetite, without consulting the
Honour and Justice of the Case.
 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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