Aesop's Fables

For our first contest we focused on a storyteller that used common characters (mainly animals) to teach lessons about life. We had submissions from different stories and here they are. Feel free to leave a comment on any that spark some interest.

Story: "The Tortoise and the Hare"

“I chose the tortoise and the hare. Only this time, the hare is wanting a rematch because he lost and so they go to have a rematch and the tension is a lot more... well intense. The rematch is a marathon split over three days, kinda like those dog sled races in Alaska.... Anyways, with each leg of the race, they both try to out do each other, for example: they are about to blow the whistle, the hare who is now wearing roller skates pulls out a rocket and straps it to his back and sneers at the tortoise. The race starts and the hare shoots off. The tortoise simply looks amused pulls out a small remote control, and presses the big red button. A ramp appears in the path of the hare, and he is launched into the air. The tortoise crosses the finish line, followed by the hare impacting the ground.” –Taylor Thompson, Animation

Illustration: "The Rooster and the Jewel"

Illustration: Scott Wiser

Illustration: Scott Wiser

“In this fable, "The Rooster and the Jewell" (originally called Cock and the Jewell), the rooster simply finds a jewel and wishes it were food. I tried to take the story further by having him try to eat the jewel. I also made sure the first frame was light and the second dark to enhance the story. Drawn with a quill pen and digital coloring.” –Scott Wiser, Animation

Illustration: "The Rooster and the Hawk"

Illustration: Nate Stout

"This picture comes from the tale "The Rooster and the Hawk". In this tale two roosters fight over which is the greater of the farmyard, in an act of triumph the rooster that won leaped onto the top of the chicken coup. It boasted of its splendor until a hawk overhead heard the prideful bird and snatched him up. I used watercolor and ink." -Nate Stout, Illustration and Story

Illustration: "The Peacock"

Illustration: Nate Stout

"This second piece I did because I liked a story so much called "The Peacock" in which it describes a peacock being jealous of the beauty of other birds. It wishes to be beautiful and looses its ability to fly in the process. A little sparrow humbles the peacock when he flies away. I gave the picture an oriental feel to just test it out. I used ink, watercolor, sharpie markers, and acetate paper." -Nate Stout, Illustration and Story