Aesop was a Greek fabulist credited with a collection of stories known as Aesop's Fables. We feature them in our Favorite Fairy Tales. Fables feature an important moral or "life lesson" that is usually wrapped up in a clever final pronouncement delivered with proverbial flair; "There's a time for work and a time for play", "Slow and steady wins the race", "Familiarity breeds contempt", and "A kindness is never wasted".

Though Aesop's own story is a result of myth and legend, it is widely believed that he was a slave from Phrygia, around 600 BC. Aesop lived at the court of King Croesus, after having served many masters as a slave. He shared his wisdom and clever wit by telling humorous tales, while serving on several missions at the pleasure of the King.

There are over 150 of Aesop's Fables here for you to enjoy -- this catalog of fables is also accessible from the Children's Library. Many of Aesop's Fables illustrate the meaning of popular Idioms, figurative language and phrases that can be confusing to children and English language learners. Most of the stories in this collection have wonderful illustrations and are a a delight to enjoy with your family.

We hope you take the time to share Aesop's Fables with your children and grandchildren or favorite nieces and nephews. Several Aesop stories are featured in Pre-K Read-Aloud Stories and Children's Stories

If your child is too young to read, let them choose a fable by selecting one of the images below. See if they can guess what the story might be about just by looking at the picture, then read it together.

Grown-ups might also like the fable parody poems by Guy Wetmore Carryl, titled Fables for the Frivolous, and George Ade's Fables in Slang.