Episodes

  • When Power Preys on Innocence
    Aug 18 2025

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    In this final installment of Aesop's fables, we present "The Wolf and the Lamb," a timeless tale about power, false accusations, and the arbitrary nature of tyranny. The story culminates with the profound dying words of the lamb: "Any excuse will serve a tyrant."

    • A wolf spots a lamb drinking from a spring downstream and decides to make it his supper
    • The wolf falsely accuses the lamb of muddying his drinking water
    • When the lamb points out this is impossible since water flows downstream, the wolf claims the lamb insulted him a year ago
    • The lamb explains this couldn't be true as it's only six months old
    • Undeterred, the wolf declares "If it was not you, it was your father" before attacking
    • Before dying, the lamb delivers the moral: "Any excuse will serve a tyrant"
    • This is the 14th and final Aesop's fable in our series


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    3 mins
  • A Snake in Your Bosom
    Aug 18 2025

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    This podcast challenges categorization as a sleep aid, positioning itself instead as a space for practicing boredom together through Aesop's fables. Ron reads "The Woodman and the Serpent," a tale about kindness betrayed and the nature of wickedness.

    • Clarification that this podcast is not designed to help listeners fall asleep
    • Exploration of the difference between boredom and sleep as mental states
    • Reading of Aesop's "The Woodman and the Serpent" fable
    • Discussion of the moral "no gratitude from the wicked"

    Hit that subscribe button. Click on that fifth star. Say your words of gratitude, because there is none from the wicked, thank you.


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    3 mins
  • When We Deny Others What We Cannot Use
    Aug 18 2025

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    Ron Reads presents Aesop's fable "The Dog in the Manger," exploring the timeless lesson about selfishly preventing others from enjoying what we ourselves cannot use. This brief yet profound tale reminds listeners of the human tendency to begrudge others' happiness even when it costs us nothing to share.

    • A dog takes a nap in an ox's manger, lying comfortably on the straw
    • When the hardworking ox returns and tries to eat, the dog aggressively prevents it
    • The dog has no use for the straw but barks and attempts to bite the ox
    • The frustrated ox eventually leaves hungry, unable to enjoy its rightful meal
    • The moral: "People often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves"

    Please like, subscribe, share. Do all the things. Do what's right. Don't grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.


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    2 mins
  • Revenge Served Cold
    Aug 18 2025

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    A classic Aesop's fable brings timeless wisdom about reciprocity and treating others as we wish to be treated. The Fox and the Stork demonstrates that what goes around comes around through a simple tale of dinner invitations gone wrong.

    • Fox invites Stork to dinner but serves soup in a shallow dish the Stork cannot eat from
    • Stork remains gracious despite leaving hungry from the Fox's trick
    • Stork invites Fox for a return dinner and serves food in a narrow-necked jar
    • Fox cannot reach the food with his snout, experiencing the same frustration
    • Stork delivers the moral: "One bad turn deserves another"
    • Aesop's fable demonstrates how treating others poorly often results in similar treatment

    If you enjoyed this fable, please subscribe to this podcast, give a glowing review and a high rating, and share this amazing content with someone very important to you.


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    3 mins
  • One Good Plan Beats a Hundred
    Aug 18 2025

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    Ron stumbles through an introduction before reading Aesop's fable "The Fox and the Cat," a tale about a boastful fox with numerous escape plans and a practical cat with just one reliable strategy.

    • Fox boasts about having "a hundred ways of escaping enemies"
    • Cat admits to having only one escape strategy
    • When hounds approach, the cat immediately climbs a tree to safety
    • Fox gets caught while contemplating his many options
    • Moral: "Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon"

    Please like this podcast. Like it enough to subscribe and to rate it very highly and to leave a comment so wonderful that all the other podcasters will pull out their hair.


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    3 mins
  • If You Can't Have It, Hate It
    Aug 18 2025

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    In Aesop's fable The Fox and the Grapes, a fox spots a bunch of ripe grapes hanging high on a vine. Hungry and eager, he jumps repeatedly to reach them but fails each time. Frustrated, he walks away, convincing himself that the grapes were probably sour and not worth having. The story illustrates how people may belittle what they cannot attain to cope with disappointment.

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    1 min
  • The Flatterer's Trap
    Aug 18 2025

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    Ron reads Aesop's classic fable "The Fox and the Crow," sharing the timeless tale of a cunning fox who uses flattery to trick a vain crow into dropping her cheese. The story delivers the ageless wisdom to beware of those who use excessive praise to manipulate others for their own gain.

    • A fox spots a crow with cheese in its beak sitting on a tree branch
    • The fox flatters the crow extensively about her appearance and presumed beautiful voice
    • When the crow opens her mouth to sing and prove her talents, she drops the cheese
    • The fox snatches the fallen cheese and delivers the moral: "Do not trust flatterers"
    • Ron reads this classic tale in his signature straightforward style

    Please give us a five-star rating. As this channel grows, we need your support, thank you.


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    3 mins
  • The Gods Help Those Who Help Themselves
    Aug 18 2025

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    Ron delivers another intentionally boring reading of Aesop's "Hercules and the Wagoner," a classic fable about self-reliance and the importance of taking action before seeking divine intervention.

    • A wagoner gets his cart stuck in deep mud and immediately prays to Hercules for help
    • Instead of rescuing him, Hercules tells the wagoner to get up and put his shoulder to the wheel
    • The fable concludes with the famous moral: "The gods help them that help themselves"
    • Ron maintains his trademark monotone delivery throughout the short reading
    • The episode clocks in at under three minutes, perfect for a quick dose of ancient wisdom

    Please subscribe, like, rate, and review our podcast to help us continue bringing you these extremely boring readings of classic literature.


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    3 mins