Aesop's Fables: Sir Roger L'Estrange (1692)
85. A BRAGGING TRAVELLER (Perry 33)
A vain Fellow that had been abroad in the World, would still be tiring
all Peoples Ears at his Return with Stories of his wonderful Actions and
Adventures in his Travels; and particularly, he told of a Leap he took
at Rhodes, that no Body there could come within six Foot on't. Now this
(says he) I am able to prove by several Witnesses upon the Place. If this
be true (says one of the Company) there's no need of going to Rhodes for
Witness: Do but you fansy this to be Rhodes, and then shew us the Leap.
THE MORAL. Travellers have a kind of Privilege to romance it, and to
tell Stories at large. And for those that doubt the Truth of the Matter,
they had e'en better pass it over than go to disprove it.
 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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