Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
70. A CAMEL AT FIRST SIGHT (Perry 195)
Upon the first Sight of a Camel, all People ran from it, in Amazement
at so monstrous a Bulk. Upon the second sight, finding that it did them
no hurt, they took heart upon’t, went up to’t, and view’d it. But when
they came, upon further Experience, to take notice, how stupid a Beast
it was, they ty’d it up, bridled it, loaded it with Packs and Burdens,
set Boys upon the Back on’t, and treated it with the last Degree of Contempt.
THE MORAL OF THE TWO FABLES ABOVE. Novelty surprizes us, and we have
naturally a Horror for uncouth mishapen Monsters; but ‘tis our Ignorance
that staggers us, for upon Custom and Experience all these Bugs grow familiar
and easy to us.
 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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