Contents ▼▲
Front Matter The Wolf and the Kid The Tortoise and the Ducks Young Crab and His Mother The Frogs and the Ox The Dog, Cock, and Fox Belling the Cat The Eagle and the Jackdaw The Boy and the Filberts Hercules and the Wagoner The Kid and the Wolf Town Mouse, Country Mouse The Fox and the Grapes The Bundle of Sticks The Wolf and the Crane The Ass and His Driver The Oxen and the Wheels The Lion and the Mouse Shepherd Boy and the Wolf The Gnat and the Bull The Plane Tree The Farmer and the Stork The Sheep and the Pig The Travelers and the Purse The Lion and the Ass Frogs Who Wished for a King The Owl and the Grasshopper The Wolf and His Shadow The Oak and the Reeds The Rat and the Elephant The Boys and the Frogs The Crow and the Pitcher Ants and the Grasshopper The Ass Carrying the Image A Raven and a Swan The Two Goats The Ass and the Load of Salt The Lion and the Gnat The Leap at Rhodes The Cock and the Jewel The Monkey and the Camel The Wild Boar and the Fox The Ass, Fox, and Lion The Birds, Beasts and Bat The Lion, the Bear and the Fox The Wolf and the Lamb The Wolf and the Sheep The Hares and the Frogs The Fox and the Stork The Travelers and the Sea The Wolf and the Lion The Stag and His Reflection The Peacock The Mice and the Weasels The Wolf and the Lean Dog The Fox and the Lion The Lion and the Ass The Dog and His Master's Dinner The Vain Jackdaw The Monkey and the Dolphin The Wolf and the Ass The Monkey and the Cat The Dogs and the Fox The Dogs and the Hides The Rabbit, Weasel, and Cat The Bear and the Bees The Fox and the Leopard The Heron The Cock and the Fox The Dog in the Manger The Wolf and the Goat The Ass and the Grasshoppers The Mule The Fox and the Goat The Cat, Cock, and Mouse The Wolf and the Shepherd The Peacock and the Crane The Farmer and the Cranes The Farmer and His Sons The Two Pots The Goose and the Golden Egg The Fighting Bulls and Frog The Mouse and the Weasel The Farmer and the Snake The Sick Stag The Goatherd and Wild Goats The Spendthrift and Swallow The Cat and the Birds The Dog and the Oyster The Astrologer Three Bullocks and a Lion Mercury and the Woodman The Frog and the Mouse The Fox and the Crab The Serpent and the Eagle The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing The Bull and the Goat The Eagle and the Beetle The Old Lion and the Fox The Man and the Lion The Ass and the Lap Dog The Milkmaid and Her Pail The Wolf and the Shepherd The Goatherd and the Goat The Miser The Wolf and the House Dog The Fox and the Hedgehog The Bat and the Weasels The Quack Toad The Fox Without a Tail The Mischievous Dog The Rose and the Butterfly The Cat and the Fox The Boy and the Nettle The Old Lion The Fox and the Pheasants Two Travelers and a Bear The Porcupine and the Snakes The Fox and the Monkey The Mother and the Wolf The Flies and the Honey The Eagle and the Kite The Stag, Sheep and Wolf The Animals and the Plague The Shepherd and the Lion The Dog and His Reflection The Hare and the Tortoise The Bees, Wasps, and Hornet The Lark and Her Young Ones The Cat and the Old Rat The Fox and the Crow The Ass and His Shadow The Miller, His Son, and the Ass The Ant and the Dove The Man and the Satyr The Wolf, Kid, and Goat The Swallow and the Crow Jupiter and the Monkey The Lion, Ass, and Fox The Lion's Share The Mole and His Mother The North Wind and the Sun The Hare and His Ears The Wolves and the Sheep The Cock and the Fox The Ass in the Lion's Skin The Fisherman and the Fish The Fighting Cocks and Eagle

Aesop for Children - Milo Winter




The Miller, His Son, and the Ass

One day, a long time ago, an old Miller and his Son were on their way to market with an Ass which they hoped to sell. They drove him very slowly, for they thought they would have a better chance to sell him if they kept him in good condition. As they walked along the highway some travelers laughed loudly at them.

"What foolishness," cried one, "to walk when they might as well ride. The most stupid of the three is not the one you would expect it to be."

The Miller did not like to be laughed at, so he told his son to climb up and ride.

They had gone a little farther along the road, when three merchants passed by.

"Oho, what have we here?" they cried. "Respect old age, young man! Get down, and let the old man ride."

Though the Miller was not tired, he made the boy get down and climbed up himself to ride, just to please the Merchants.

At the next turnstile they overtook some women carrying market baskets loaded with vegetables and other things to sell.

"Look at the old fool," exclaimed one of them. "Perched on the Ass, while that poor boy has to walk."

The Miller felt a bit vexed, but to be agreeable he told the Boy to climb up behind him.

[Illustration] from Aesop for Children by Milo Winter

They had no sooner started out again than a loud shout went up from another company of people on the road.

"What a crime," cried one, "to load up a poor dumb beast like that! They look more able to carry the poor creature, than he to carry them."

"They must be on their way to sell the poor thing's hide," said another.

The Miller and his Son quickly scrambled down, and a short time later, the market place was thrown into an uproar as the two came along carrying the Donkey slung from a pole. A great crowd of people ran out to get a closer look at the strange sight.

[Illustration] from Aesop for Children by Milo Winter

The Ass did not dislike being carried, but so many people came up to point at him and laugh and shout, that he began to kick and bray, and then, just as they were crossing a bridge, the ropes that held him gave way, and down he tumbled into the river.

The poor Miller now set out sadly for home. By trying to please everybody, he had pleased nobody, and lost his Ass besides.

If you try to please all, you please none.