We will spend a year exploring (via Zoom) the fables of Aesop. Class members will, in the first half of each class, tell one of Aesop's animal stories to the rest of us, giving vim and vigour to their story-telling, and offer a personal interpretation. I shall also give an analysis and lead a discussion. In the second half of each class, we will consider a story about a medieval Japanese Zen master, and an ancient Indian tale of a past life of the Buddha in an ant, bull, frog or other animal incarnation. We will consider the differences (and similarities) between eastern stories of enlightenment and western tales of life's harsh, even ruthless reality. You must have the (print-on-demand) edition of Aesop with the 18th century commentary by Samuel Croxton; "Zen flesh, Zen bones" by Paul Reps (Penguin); and HT Francis and EJ Thomas' edition of "Jataka Tales".