'The Crab and her Daughter'

'The Crab and her Daughter', an illustration by John Vernon Lord 

in Aesop's Fables, Jonathan Cape, 1989, page 50.

The text:

The Crab and her Daughter

Two Crabs, the mother and daughter, having been left by the receding tide, were creeping again towards the water, when the former observing the awkward gait of her daughter, got into a great passion, and desired her to move straight forward, in a more becoming and sprightly manner, and not crawl sideling along in a way so contrary to all the rest of the world. Indeed mother, says the young Crab, I walk as properly as I can, and to the best of my knowledge; but if you would have me to go otherwise, I beg you would be so good as to practise it first, and shew me by your own example how you would have me to conduct myself.

Moral: Look at the example you set yourself before finding fault in others.

Text: Thomas Bewick (p1, 1818)

Selected Parallels: Babrius 109. Avianus 3. Caxton, Avianus 3. La Fontaine 12/10. L’Estrange 221. Chambry 151. Perry 322. TMI J1063.1 and U121.1.