Aesop’s animal fables, as Robin Waterfield points out in his new translation, were certainly not written for children: the animals are ‘brutal, cunning, predatory, treacherous, and ruthless’, despising the weak and mocking people’s misfortunes. The ancients regularly used them against political opponents. Plenty could be so used today.
Gnat, who had settled on Bull’s horn, was about to fly off when he asked Bull whether he wanted him to go away. Bull replied: ‘When you came, I didn’t feel you. And when you go, I won’t feel you either.’ Obviously, Nigel Farage or David Lammy with Donald Trump. So: match the following three fables with the late John Prescott, Rachel Reeves and George Galloway.
Donkey asked Horse for a little of his barley. ‘Gladly,’ said Horse, ‘but I’ve none to spare at the moment. But it would be beneath me not to give you a generous amount. So when we get back to our stable this evening, I’ll give you a whole bagful.’ And Donkey said: ‘If you refuse me such a small favour now, why should I expect a greater one from you later?’
Walking along a narrow path, Heracles saw an apple-shaped object lying on the ground. Crushing it underfoot, he only doubled its size. So he hit it with his club. It grew so huge it blocked the path. Heracles was baffled. But Athena arrived and said: ‘Brother, stop. This is Feud. Left alone, it does not change. But fight it and it swells up, as you can see.’
Ass put on Lion’s skin and roamed about in the forest, amusing himself by frightening all the foolish animals he met.
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