Life, 1921-06-02 · page 16 of 44
Life — June 2, 1921 — page 16: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents two classic Aesop's fables illustrated with both animal drawings and human cartoons. **"The Wolf and the Crane"** depicts the traditional moral tale: a wolf with a bone stuck in its throat hires a crane to remove it, then refuses payment, arguing the crane should be grateful to escape alive. **"The Dog and His Shadow"** shows a dog losing his real meat by greedily snapping at his own reflection's meat in water—a fable about losing what you have through excessive desire. The bottom cartoon appears to be a modern satirical commentary, showing two people discussing an American who gave fifty francs. The humor likely references post-WWI attitudes toward Americans abroad, portraying them as wealthy but unsophisticated spenders. The comment "absolutely sober" suggests surprise that an American could be restrained.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
The Herford Aesop THE WOLF AND THE CRANE WOLF who had the habit rude Of bolting greedily his food, When eating a quick lunch one day, Swallowed a bone that stuck halfway, Causing such agonizing pain He sent in haste for Doctor Crane, And offered him a handsome fee To pull the bone out instantly. The Crane at once with ease and skill Plucked out the bone. But when his Bill For Payment Due he then presented, The Wolf his impudence resented. Quoth he, “ A Crane's well paid that draws His head in safety from my jaws.” Jules: Antoinette: THE DOG AND HIS SHADOW A DOG, with a choice bit of meat That he was carrying home to eat, Crossing a bridge, saw in the brook His own reflection, which he took To be another Dog. “ The Pig! His piece of meat is twice as big As mine! Well, I'll soon let him see Which is the better Dog!” cried he ; And dropping his, without ado, To grab the other’s meat he flew. Meanwhile his own sank out of sight; Thus he lost both, which served him right! “MAIS, NON—HE WAS ABSOLUTELY SOBER.” comicbooks.com