Another Fable: The Hen and the Apple Tree

Indeed, It is always difficult to pose as something that one is not!

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I went to an Open House today for Realtors Only not far from my house and I was entranced by all the fabulous antique furnishings in a modern mid-century house on a large lovely property. I loved EVERYTHING. 

I can't remember when I have seen any antique chalkware animals and was thrilled to see a cabinet full of them today. It's spring and there are open houses to attend on Tuesdays and Thursdays and public ones on the weekends. Happy times for me as you can well imagine.

Goodbye April and Hello May. Enjoy getting your gardens ready. xo

FABLE: THE BABBOON'S UMBRELLA

HAPPY MONDAY

It's Laundry Day here at the cottage.

Weather is nice enough to hang things outside.

Rain coming at 5:00 this afternoon.

Have a good week.

xo

 

FABLE: THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

 

 

      THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB

"On a stormy day, the Crab went strolling along the beach. He was surprised to see the Lobster preparing to set sail in his boat. "Lobster," said the Crab, "it is foolhardy to venture out on a day like this." "Perhaps so," said the Lobster, "but I love a squall at sea!" "I will come with you," said the Crab. "I will not let you face such danger alone." The Lobster and the Crab began their voyage. Soon they found themselves far from shore. Their boat was tossed and buffeted by the turbulent waters. "Crab!" shouted the Lobster above the roar of the wind. "For me, the splashing of the salt spray is thrilling! The crashing of every wave takes my breath away!" "Lobster, I think we are sinking!" cried the Crab. "Yes, of course, we are sinking," said the Lobster. "This old boat is full of holes. Have courage, my friend. Remember, we are both creatures of the sea." The little boat capsized and sank. "Horrors!" cried the Crab. "Down we go!" shouted the Lobster. The Crab was shaken and upset. The Lobster took him for a relaxing walk along the ocean floor. "How brave we are," said the Lobster. "What a wonderful adventure we have had!" The Crab began to feel somewhat better. Although he usually enjoyed a quicter existence, he had to admit that the day had been pleasantly out of the ordinary. 

Even the taking of small risks will add excitement to life.

I love that you can learn a lesson when you read a book to a child. One of the agents in my office welcomed her first grandchild two days ago and she's over the moon with her tiny granddaughter. xo

See the other Fables from this book HERE.

FABLE: KING LION AND THE BEETLE

FABLES Written & Illustrated by Arnold Lobel 1980

I found a great on-line biography of this author written by his daughter Adrianne Lobel with a delightful YouTube video about an unpublished work by her father that she illustrated and published. click link to read

Arnold Lobel ~ The life and literary works of American children's author and illustrator

text from the second photo

KING LION AND THE BEETLE

King Lion looked in the mirror. "What a beautiful and noble creature I am," he said. "I will go forth to show my devoted subjects that their leader is every inch a king!" The King put on his robes of state, his large jeweled crown, and all of his gold and silver medals. As he walked down the roads of his kingdom, everyone who saw him bowed to the ground. "Yes, yes," said King Lion, "I deserve this respect from my people, for truly I am every inch a king!" There was a tiny Beetle standing near the road. When the King saw him, he cried, "Beetle, I command you to bow low before me!" "Your Royal Majesty," said the Beetle, "I know that I am small, but if you look at me closely, you will see that I am making a bow." The King leaned over. "Beetle," he said, "you are so hard to see down there. I am still not sure that you are bowing." "Your Majesty, said the Beetle, "please look more closely. I assure you that I am indeed bowing." The King leaned over a little farther. Now the robes of state, the large jeweled crown, and all of the gold and silver medals had made King Lion very top-heavy. Suddenly he lost his balance and fell on his head. With a great roar, he rolled into a ditch at the side of the road. The frightened Beetle scurried away. From head to foot, every inch of King Lion was covered with wet mud. 

It is the high and mighty who have the longest distance to fall.

Have a great weekend.

xo

FABLE: The Ducks and The Fox

At times, a change of routine can be most helpful.

FABLES

Written & Illustrated by Arnold Lobel

1980

Have a great weekend

xo

I figured out how to copy text from a photo in case you are having trouble reading the photo. Let me know if this helps.

THE DUCKS AND THE FOX 

 Two Duck sisters were waddling down the road to the pond for their morning Swim. "This is a good road," said the first sister, "but I think, just for a change, we should find another route. 'There are many other roads that lead to the pond." "No," said the second sister, "I do not agree. I really do not want to try a new way. 'This road makes me feel comfortable. I am accustomed to it." One morning the Ducks met a Fox sitting on a fence along the road. "Good morning, ladies," said the Fox. "On your way to the pond, I suppose?" "Oh, yes," said the sisters, "we come along here every day." "Interesting, said the Fox with a toothy smile. When the sun came up the next morning, the first sister said, "We are sure to meet that Fox again if we go our usual way. I did not like his looks. Today is the day that we must find another road!" "You are being just plain silly," " said the second sister. "That Fox smiled at us. He seemed most gentlemanly." The two Ducks waddled down the same road to the pond. There was the Fox, sitting on the fence. This time he carried a sack. "Lovely ladies," ' said the Fox, "I was expecting you. I am glad that you have not disappointed me." Opening his sack, he jumped upon them. The sisters quacked and screamed. They flapped and flopped their wings. They flew home and bolted their door. The next morning, the two Ducks did not go out. They rested at home to quiet their nerves. On the following day they carefully searched for a new and different road. They found one, and it took them safely to the pond. 

At times, a change of routine can be most healthful

The Crocodile in the Bedroom

Moral of the Fable: 

Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too much order.

Three pages from one of my books.

FABLES

Written and Illustrated by

ARNOLD LOBEL

1980

My plan is to post one fable until I have shown you the entire book.

xo