Other editions of book Aesop's Fables A New Translation

AESOP'S FABLES A NEW TRANSLATION BY V. S. VERNON JONESWITH AN INTRODUCTION BY G. K. CHESTERTONAND Original ILLUSTRATIONS BY ARTHUR RACKHAMINTRODUCTIONAesop embodies an epigram not uncommon in human history; his fame is all the more deserved because he never deserved it. The firm foundations of common sense, the shrewd shots at uncommon sense, that characterise all the Fables, belong not him but to humanity. In the earliest human history whatever is authentic is universal: and whatever is universal is anonymous. In such cases there is always some central man who had first the trouble of collecting them, and afterwards the fame of creating them. He had the fame; and, on the whole, he earned the fame. There must have been something great and human, something of the human future and the human past, in such a man: even if he only used it to rob the past or deceive the future. The story of Arthur may have been really connected with the most fighting Christianity of falling Rome or with the most heathen traditions hidden in the hills of Wales. But the word "Mappe" or "Malory" will always mean King Arthur; even though we find older and better origins than the Mabinogian; or write later and worse versions than the "Idylls of the King." The nursery fairy tales may have come out of Asia with the Indo-European race, now fortunately extinct; they may have been invented by some fine French lady or gentleman like Perrault: they may possibly even be what they profess to be. But we shall always call the best selection of such tales "Grimm's Tales": simply because it is the best collection.

Aesop’s Fables are a collection of 284 stories passed down throughout the centuries through spoken word, that are associated with an Ancient Greek slave and storyteller by the name of Aesop. The stories contain many educational examples and tales about animals and inanimate object speaking and thinking as humans – not unlike modern day fairy tales, many of which were actually inspired in some form from Aesop’s Fables.The new translation of these extensive fables is easier to understand, and ensures that even modern day readers can fully comprehend Aesop’s point on many of them. Although works that are considered to be much newer were ascribed to Aesop centuries after his death – in some cases even by known authors – every effort has been made to keep the original stories as authentic and well-preserved as possible.These fables were among the first works to be transformed to book form upon the invention of the printing press, and they have quickly caught on during the middle ages, particularly because of their remarkable diversity. Initially the fables were meant mainly for adults, containing examples on topics of a more serious and complex nature such as politics, religion and social themes. Over time, artists and sculptors have created many works of art depicting the ethical and moral consequences of some of the stories, and there were also numerous reinterpretations of the meaning and ethical purpose involved.Aesop (c. 620 BCE – 564) lived over 2,000 years ago, and was known throughout the ancient world as the “ugly slave” who, through cunning and intelligence, managed to earn his freedom and even become an adviser to statesmen, kings and leaders throughout the land.His fables continue to enchant and delight us today, as newer, more relevant translations such as this one offer modern readers a clearer and easier to grasp glimpse into the mind of one of the greatest storytellers of all time.