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Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)

503. ORPHEUS AND THE DOGS
Perry 448 (Dio Chrysostom, Orations 32)

The animals were Orpheus' companions, and while they enjoyed and admired his music, they never attempted to imitate it. But a few of the dogs, those shameless and meddlesome creatures, set out to make some music of their own. They straightaway went off by themselves to practice, changing themselves into human form as they continued their musical pursuits. This is where lyre players come from, and even today they cannot completely overcome their inborn nature. As a result, they preserve the teachings of Orpheus, but only to a small degree; for the most part it is the canine music that endures.

Note: Orpheus was the master musician of Greek mythology.

Source: Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura Gibbs. Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002.
NOTE: New cover, with new ISBN, published in 2008; contents of book unchanged.