
A lively anthology of short, tongue‑in‑cheek fables invites listeners to revisit classic moral tales with a fresh, mischievous twist. Each story pits an animal or humble creature against a boastful counterpart, using clever dialogue and vivid illustration to explore themes of ambition, perseverance, and humility. The verses are peppered with playful wordplay, making the morals feel both timeless and delightfully contemporary.
The collection moves from a sly fox thwarted by a farmer’s glass‑capped wall to a determined tortoise outpacing a bragging hare, and continues with a parade of proud peacocks, scheming jays, and many other quirky duels. Listeners will enjoy the rhythmic storytelling that balances humor with gentle wisdom, encouraging reflection without heavy-handed preaching. Ideal for a short, thoughtful listening session, these fables charm both the young and the young‑at‑heart.
Language
en
Duration
~33 minutes (32K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Steve Schulze, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. The scans for this book are from the Michigan State University Online Digital Collection http://digital.lib.msu.edu/onlinecolls/collection.cfm?CID=3
Release date
2004-09-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1873–1904
A witty American poet and humorist of the late 19th century, he became known for playful verse, sharp parody, and fable-like poems that still feel light on their feet. His work mixes literary polish with a cheerful sense of mischief.
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