- 248 pages
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
eBook - ePub
About this book
Inspired by ancient, modern, and contemporary writings, Fred Chappell's sprightly new collection of verse, As If It Were, presents tales, anecdotes, pointed stories, and aphorisms to spark the conscience of readers young and old. Playful and even zany, the humor in these poems pulls readers into a world filled with noble lions, crafty foxes, predacious wolves, longsuffering asses, and fashionable peacocks. Chappell illustrates how the fable offers a timeless form of wisdom, surprising us with revelations that challenge what we think we already know, along with fresh observations of daily experiences. With its informal, even nonchalant tone of address and lush, polished language, As If It Were endows homespun materials with alchemical insights.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can cancel anytime from the Subscription tab in your account settings on the Perlego website. Your subscription will stay active until the end of your current billing period. Learn how to cancel your subscription.
No, books cannot be downloaded as external files, such as PDFs, for use outside of Perlego. However, you can download books within the Perlego app for offline reading on mobile or tablet. Learn more here.
Perlego offers two plans: Essential and Complete
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
We are an online textbook subscription service, where you can get access to an entire online library for less than the price of a single book per month. With over 1 million books across 1000+ topics, we’ve got you covered! Learn more here.
Look out for the read-aloud symbol on your next book to see if you can listen to it. The read-aloud tool reads text aloud for you, highlighting the text as it is being read. You can pause it, speed it up and slow it down. Learn more here.
Yes! You can use the Perlego app on both iOS or Android devices to read anytime, anywhere — even offline. Perfect for commutes or when you’re on the go.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Yes, you can access As If It Were by Fred Chappell in PDF and/or ePUB format, as well as other popular books in Literature & Poetry. We have over one million books available in our catalogue for you to explore.
Information
Social Function
Tact Intact
—BABRIUS
A Crab suggested that he mediate
When Whales and Dolphins threatened mutual war.
“You must not let it happen as before;
War is not graven by the hand of Fate.”
“Your busybody effort lacks effect,”
Said Dolphins. “Where is your authority?
You do not brave the turbulent ocean sea,
So you are no one whom we should respect.”
Likewise the Whales: “Oh, Insignificant
Crustacean, why do you insert your presence
Between us and the Dolphins’ foul malfeasance?
We might as well take counsel from an Ant.”
“Why spurn my gift for mild diplomacy?
Already I have brought you to agree.”
Fox and Crab
—AESOP
A Crab decided to desert his beach.
“In this burning stretch of barren hell,
Nothing present but sand and shell,
Every foodstuff is beyond my reach.”
A green field lay just past his dune,
So he sidewised there, hoping to dine
On snails and crickets served with wine
Each day of the week precisely at noon.
But sharp-eyed hunger is ever widespread.
Fox spotted Crab in the velvety clover.
“Crustacean,” he said, “your short life is over.
I shall eat you at once and be fashionably fed.”
“I know I must submit to fate,
Yet shall declare the wisdom I got:
Happy we are when content with our lot.”
“Now you are wise, but wise too late.”
The Wolf and the Lamb
—LA FONTAINE, I, 10
“Stop fouling the water I must drink,”
Said Wolf. “Whatever made you think
That I’d be willing to forgive
Such injury and let you live
To trouble me another ...
Table of contents
- Cover
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Fable
- Social Class
- Social Function
- Psychology
- Philosophy
- Folktale
- Fabulists
- Fox
- Parable
- Preambles/Postambles