For an example, there is the fable of the crab and its mother.  They were strolling along the sand together when the mother said, “Child, you are not walking gracefully.  You should walk straight forward, without twisting from side to side.”

“Pray, mother,” said the young one, “if you will set the example, I will follow it.”

Perhaps children will think the little crab was not very respectful, but the lesson is plain that it is always easier to give good advice than it is to follow it.

There is another, which teaches us to be self-reliant and resourceful.  A crow, whose throat was parched and dry with thirst, saw a pitcher in the distance.  In great joy he flew to it, but found that it held only a little water, and even that was too near the bottom to be reached, for all his stooping and straining.

Next he tried to overturn the pitcher, thinking that he would at least be able to catch some of the water as it trickled out.  But this he was not strong enough to do.  In the end he found some pebbles lying near, and by dropping them one by one into the pitcher, he managed at last to raise the water up to the very brim, and thus was able to quench his thirst.

THE FALCON AND THE PARTRIDGE

From The Arabian Nights

Once upon a time a Falcon stooped from its flight and seized a Partridge; but the latter freed himself from the seizer, and entering his nest, hid himself there.  The Falcon followed apace and called out to him, saying: 

“O imbecile, I saw you hungry in the field and took pity on you; so I picked up for you some grain and took hold of you that you might eat; but you fled from me, and I know not the cause of your flight, except it were to put upon me a slight.  Come out, then, and take the grain I have brought you to eat, and much good may it do you, and with your health agree.”

When the Partridge heard these words he believed, and came out to the Falcon, who thereupon struck his talons into him and seized him.

Cried the Partridge, “Is this that which you told me you had brought me from the field, and whereof you told me to eat, saying, ’Much good may it do you, and with your health agree?’ Thou hast lied to me, and may God cause what you eat of my flesh to be a killing poison in your maw!”

When the Falcon had eaten the Partridge his feathers fell off, his strength failed, and he died on the spot.  Know that he who digs for his brother a pit, himself soon falls into it.

MINERVA AND THE OWL

“My most solemn and wise bird,” said Minerva one day to her Owl, “I have hitherto admired you for your profound silence; but I have now a mind to have you show your ability in discourse, for silence is only admirable in one who can, when he pleases, triumph by his eloquence and charm with graceful conversation.”