Aesop's fables have become so influential and ubiquitous in our culture that it's difficult to assess them in isolation. Whether the stories themselves, such as the boy who cried wolf, the hare and the tortoise, or the goose that laid the golden egg; the morals, such as look before you leap, the grass looks greener on the other side, or pride goes before a fall; or the phrases, such as sour grapes, the lion's share and the wolf in sheep's clothing, you can't help but get the feeling that you've read all of this before.

Nevertheless, though that familiarity may breed contempt (which is a phrase that comes from another of Aesop's fables), it is possible to take a step back and admire Aesop's achievement. All of the stories are simple and functional, and you can see why they have become so useful for children. Some are poetic; others clumsy. But aside from one or two about the importance of knowing your place (Aesop was a freed slave in a pre-democratic society), all of Aesop's fables possess a moral integrity and an easy wisdom that endures to this day. In fact, it's quite remarkable to realise that the reason this slight, unassuming book of mostly animal stories resonates with us today is because much of our morality actually came from here. ( )

I'd say that some of the bad press that foxes have suffered from over the years can be attributed to the Fables (as well as other early children's stories). And are donkeys so deserving of their lowly status?

Aesop's Fables have been with us for millenia, and they are still enjoyable today, full of wit and wisdom. ( )

You’ve heard of these since you were a child but I’ve never actually read them myself from cover to cover or met anyone...

Read the rest of this review at Arukiyomi. ( )