I read the "Hare and the turtle" when I was child, if I remember correctly I read many versions of it, and every author added their own twist/taste in it. I loved to compare different versions of the same story.
In Arabic world we have had some of the fables that you have in the English speaking one, maybe they both had the same origin?
Some fables that have good Arabian roots are Kalila and Demna it's not originally Arabic book, but it's considered integral part of the modern Arabic culture.
Anyway, what I liked in Kalila and Demna is how the author turned his politically "wrong" society into an animal Kingdom, talked about the problems he was witnessing in form of Animals... The title is the name of two Jackals (Foxes in the version I read) who play big role in the stories (yes, plural.)
If I'm going to recommend a fable I'd recommend "Kalila and Demna," I don't know if there's an English version of it, though.
One story:
The Donkey was mocked by all the animals. he asked the (Lion) King for help and finally he chained the King to make it look like he outsmarted him.
All the animals hailed the smart Donkey. The king asked to be freed, but the Donkey didn't free him in fear he'll eat him.One day, the king asked a small mouse who happened to be there for help, the mouse feared to be eaten, but the King promised to make him his closest advisor if he did.
The mouse freed him and the King ran away... The mouse asked him what about being his advisor? The King told him that this isn't a country if a Donkey chained the king, and a mouse freed him.
The End.
Well, this comment was way too longer than I wanted... Maybe I'll clean it and make it a full post?
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