A Fable A Day

Read a Different Fable Everyday!

The Labourer and the Nightingale

(From the "Aesop's Fables" collection.)

A Labourer lay listening to a Nightingale's song throughout the summer night. So pleased was he with it that the next night he set a trap for it and captured it. "Now that I have caught thee," he cried, "thou shalt always sing to me."

"We Nightingales never sing in a cage." said the bird.

"Then I'll eat thee." said the Labourer. "I have always heard say that a nightingale on toast is dainty morsel."

"Nay, kill me not," said the Nightingale; "but let me free, and I'll tell thee three things far better worth than my poor body." The Labourer let him loose, and he flew up to a branch of a tree and said: "Never believe a captive's promise; that's one thing. Then again: Keep what you have. And third piece of advice is: Sorrow not over what is lost forever." Then the song-bird flew away.

Comments & Discussion >>

Related Links

• A Fable A Day - Android App
  We have released the "A Fable A Day" Android app. With this Google Android app, you can get the classic fable directly on your mobile device each day. Get it directly on your mobile device through the Android Market. Or use the link above to download the app directly.