The Crab and Its Mother

by Aesop

A complete Aesop fable in George Fyler Townsend’s historical English translation. A small story with something to think about.

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Fables Animal stories Wisdom George Fyler Townsend translation

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01The Crab and Its Mother~1 min

A few words to begin

A CRAB said to her son, “Why do you walk so one-sided, my child? It is far more becoming to go straight forward.” The young Crab replied: “Quite true, dear Mother; and if you will show me the straight way, I will promise to walk in it.” The Mother tried in vain, and submitted without remonstrance to the reproof of her child. Example is more powerful than precept.

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About this edition

Text source: Project Gutenberg
Author: Aesop
Language: English
Text rights: Public domain — original text
Credit: Aesop, “The Crab and Its Mother”, from Three Hundred Aesop’s Fables, translated by George Fyler Townsend (1814–1900). Original public-domain poem; source Project Gutenberg #21. This historical edition’s wording is retained. Surrounding anthology, editorial material and illustrations omitted; text reformatted for reading. Source metadata identifies public domain in the USA.

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