The Aesopian fables were first compiled in the 4th century BC by Demetrius of Phalerum, but not all of them survive today.

Later, many other ancient writers did the same, each adapting a significant part of them, which is why there are several variations of the same fable. Thus, we are not certain about the authenticity of all of them.

The originality of Aesop lies both in the fact that he usually makes animals speak, thereby teaching lessons to humans, and in the morals which are generally insightful and relate to our daily lives.