Giga: New Aesopian Fables

It's not easy trying to expand on the fables of Aesop, for their charm, wisdom, humor, and characters transcend time, and speak to us as clearly as they did so long ago. It was, no doubt, because of Aesop's hard background that he was able to see the 'lessons' of life that so many others miss. In 620 BC, Aesop was born as a slave and was owned by two masters, the latter of whom freed him due to his wit and learning. In time, Aesop raised himself to a position of high renown, and he began to travel through many countries. He met with philosophers, Phadedo, Menippus, and Epictetus, along with such sages as Solon and Thales when he went to the court of Croesus. Croesus was so pleased by him that he was hired as a public official and as a diplomat. It was during one of the ambassadorial missions to Delphi that Aesop was killed-his death seemed to be avenged by a series of calamities. Aesop's travels, most likely, allowed him to become acquainted with all kinds of virtues and vices. Aesop wrote his fables to provide instruction and guidance for all mankind; likewise, Giga: New Aesopian Fables were written for the same purpose, particularly as many people today grow up without a moral compass to guide them through complex social issues. The Japanese word giga-meaning caricature-was chosen because many of the characters in these fables represent common hopes, ideals, goals, and shortcomings that shape society today.These fables, like my first book, New Aesop Fables were written so that by learning and discussing the benefits of virtues and the consequences of vices, people can develop the insight to more effectively shape their own lives and society in a more meaningful way. With these fables, readers will readily recognize and enjoy how many fables like "The Cat and the Bell," "The Tortoise and the Rabbit," "The Ants and the Cricket," and others have been adapted for the reader of today. This book, in particular, has also been fun to write; the first fifty fables were written from November 1st-18th, 2005, and the last forty were written during February, 2006. The second edition was completed in early March of 2008; this third edition was done in December, 2020. It is my hope that all of these stories and morals will reach out and inspire others as Aesop's own fables have done.