Luther & Aesop

This morning I was reading an article titled 'Luther's Aesop' in a theological journal called Logia. I was interested to discover Martin Luther loved Aesop's fables even though they're pagan stories. He loved them so much he compared them with the writings of the prophets and the psalms. This doesn't mean he considered them to be the inspired word of God or that they should be used in worship, but he considered them to be very helpful to teach young people good morals in schools.

One was quoted that I thought worth sharing (that Luther had reworked):

Of the Dog in the Water

A dog ran through a stream of water and had a piece of meat in his mouth. 

But when he saw the reflection of the meat in the water, he thought that it was also meat and he snapped eagerly for it. 

But when he opened his mouth the piece of flesh he had fell out and the water carried it away. 

So he lost both the meat and its reflection.

Teaching

One should be content with what God has given him.

He who disdains having a little will not have something bigger.

He who wants to have too much, will have nothing in the end.

Many lose what is certain for what is uncertain.

Perhaps Aesop's fables are worth extra consideration, even today.