伊索（Aesop620--560B·C）在基督誕生前約600年，也就是2500多年前齣生在希臘。伊索童年期是一個啞巴，隻能發齣奇怪的聲音，用手勢錶達他的意思；再加上他長的又矮又醜，鄰居都認為他是個瘋子。但是他的母親非常愛他，時常講故事給他聽；他的舅舅恨這個又矮又醜的外甥，常常強迫他在田裏做最艱苦的工作。

母親去世後，伊索跟著曾照料過他的老人，離傢到各地去漫遊，因此學到瞭許多有關鳥類、昆蟲和動物的故事。他們在一起過瞭好多年快活的日子。後來，伊索被牧羊人賣瞭，從此以後伊索就變成一個奴隸。

有一天，伊索夢見瞭幸運之神和氣地嚮他微笑，並把他的手指放進他的嘴裏，放鬆他的舌頭。醒來後，他以外地發現自己已經可以說話瞭。

大傢都喜歡伊索說故事，也都敬佩他過人的聰明。伊索曾經靠機智救朋友和主人的急難；憑機智避免敵人的傷害，解除奴隸的桎梏。據說伊索因得罪特耳菲人而被陷害緻死。

伊索並沒有寫下他的寓言，他完全憑記憶口授。全世界傢喻戶曉的《伊索寓言》是後人根據拜占庭僧侶普拉努德斯收集的寓言以及陸續發現的古希臘寓言傳抄編訂的。其中大多以動物為主：有的用豺狼、獅子等比喻人間權貴，揭露其殘暴、肆的一麵；有的則總結人們的生活經驗，教人處世原則。其形式簡潔精練，內容雋永深奧含義於淺顯生動的語言中，頗耐人尋味。

Aesop's Fables , by Aesop , is part of the Barnes & Noble Classics series, which offers quality editions at affordable prices to the student and the general reader, including new scholarship, thoughtful design, and pages of carefully crafted extras. Here are some of the remarkable features of Barnes & Noble Classics : New introductions commissioned from today's top writers and scholars Biographies of the authors Chronologies of contemporary historical, biographical, and cultural events Footnotes and endnotes Selective discussions of imitations, parodies, poems, books, plays, paintings, operas, statuary, and films inspired by the work Comments by other famous authors Study questions to challenge the reader's viewpoints and expectations Bibliographies for further reading Indices & Glossaries, when appropriateAll editions are beautifully designed and are printed to superior specifications; some include illustrations of historical interest. Barnes & Noble Classics pulls together a constellation of influences—biographical, historical, and literary—to enrich each reader's understanding of these enduring works. As legend has it, the storyteller Aesop was a slave who lived in ancient Greece during the sixth century B.C. His memorable, recountable fables have brought amusing characters to life and driven home thought-provoking morals for generations of listeners and modern-day readers. Translated into countless languages and familiar to people around the world, Aesop’s fables never tarnish despite being told again and again.

This collection presents nearly 300 of Aesop’s most entertaining and enduring stories—from “The Hare and the Tortoise” and “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse” to “The Goose That Laid the Golden Eggs” and “The Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing.” Populated by a colorful array of animal characters who personify every imaginable human type—from fiddling grasshoppers and diligent ants to sly foxes, wicked wolves, brave mice, and grateful lions—these timeless tales are as fresh and relevant today as when they were first created.

Full of humor, insight, and wit, the tales in Aesop’s Fables champion the value of hard work and perseverance, compassion for others, and honesty. They are age-old wisdom in a delicious form, for the consumption of adults and children alike.

D. L. Ashliman , an emeritus professor at the University of Pittsburgh, taught folklore, mythology, German, and comparative literature at that institution for 33 years. He has also served as guest professor at the University of Augsburg in Germany.