The Latch Key of My Bookhouse

MP3 Audio CD. The Latch Key of My Bookhouse

SOMEWHERE in ancient Greece, the land of white-pillared cities and stately marble temples, was born as the little slave boy, Aesop. While he was still a child, Aesop was brought to the far-famed city of - Athens. There he was sold, like an ox or a sheep, from one master to another and performed in each household the hard and thankless duties of a slave. Nevertheless, he was always enlivening his tasks by the brightest and cleverest sallies of wit, which often threw his comrades into gales of laughter. Once, it is said, he and his fellow slaves were about to set out on a long journey with a certain merchant who was their master. Heavy bundles of necessary clothing and provisions were prepared for each of the slaves to carry. "Master, grant me to carry the lightest bundle," cried Aesop. "Sobeit Select the lightest," his master answered. Immediately Aesop stepped forward and chose the heaviest and most unwieldy package of all, a bulky basket of bread. His comrades laughed at what they considered his foolishness, but when the noon meal came Aesop was ordered to distribute half his loaves among the party. Thus his load was lightened at the very time when the burdens of the others began to seem heavier and heavier from their having borne them so long. By supper time Aesop was ordered to distribute the rest of his bread and for the remainder of the journey he had nothing left to carry but the empty basket. His companions, as they trudged on, perspiring and weary, could not but admit that they had been the foolish ones and in spite of their burdens, they smiled at the joke which Aesop's quick wit and foresight had played upon their stupidity. At last the young slave's cleverness caught the attention of his master, Iadmon, the Samian, and as a fitting reward, Iadmon set him free. Thereupon, Aesop journeyed to the magnificent court of Croesus, King of Lydia, with w