Reading Notes: British and Celtic, Reading B
1. Aesop's Fables: Yet More Dogs by Roger L'Estrange (1692).
A Sheep-Biter Hang'd. A shepherd once had his favorite dog that he treated with extra special care. However, one day came where one of his sheep had gone missing, and he suspected his favorite dog was the cause of it. He kept a close eye on this dog, and his suspicions were confirmed. When the shepherd confronted the dog, the dog said, "But I am family! Take out your displeasure on the wolves who kill sheep on the daily instead." The shepherd replied, "No, I would sooner spare 40 wolves who have made sheep-killing their profession than one sheep-biting dog who I have trusted to care for them."
A Trusty Dog and His Master. The master of a household came home to find his baby's cradle overturned, the child missing, and his trusted dog's mouth all bloodied. Out of anger, he immediately sheathes his sword and kills the dog, assuming the dog had hurt the child. Afterward, he had gone searching for the child's remains and lifts up the cradle, to find the child alive and well. He had realized that what had really happened was a serpent had gone up to the child in the cradle, and the dog had attacked the serpent, tearing it to pieces, to save the child. Under the cradle with his child, he had found the remaining pieces of the serpent and realized his terrible mistake.
Bibliography:
Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists by Roger L'Estrange (1692).
A Sheep-Biter Hang'd. A shepherd once had his favorite dog that he treated with extra special care. However, one day came where one of his sheep had gone missing, and he suspected his favorite dog was the cause of it. He kept a close eye on this dog, and his suspicions were confirmed. When the shepherd confronted the dog, the dog said, "But I am family! Take out your displeasure on the wolves who kill sheep on the daily instead." The shepherd replied, "No, I would sooner spare 40 wolves who have made sheep-killing their profession than one sheep-biting dog who I have trusted to care for them."
A Trusty Dog and His Master. The master of a household came home to find his baby's cradle overturned, the child missing, and his trusted dog's mouth all bloodied. Out of anger, he immediately sheathes his sword and kills the dog, assuming the dog had hurt the child. Afterward, he had gone searching for the child's remains and lifts up the cradle, to find the child alive and well. He had realized that what had really happened was a serpent had gone up to the child in the cradle, and the dog had attacked the serpent, tearing it to pieces, to save the child. Under the cradle with his child, he had found the remaining pieces of the serpent and realized his terrible mistake.
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| Brizo, a Shepherd's Dog. Source: Wikimedia. |
Fables of Aesop and Other Eminent Mythologists by Roger L'Estrange (1692).
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