I adore Aesop fables. So much so, that my friend gave a beautiful edition of the book. I know these books are usually given to children, but they hold truths and morals for all ages. I recently found out that billionaire Warren Buffett, has used the bird in hand fable to offer financial advice. See Forbes Warren Buffet #3 on the Forbes 2010 list.

Warren Buffett, known for his folksy homespun business wisdom, once explained his investment strategy by citing the moral of a famous tale by Aesop: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. When deciding whether to invest in the “two in the bush,” or stay with the “bird in the hand,” ask these questions:

• How certain are you that the birds are really hiding in the bush?

• When do you expect them to come out?

• How valuable do you expect them to be then?

Buffett advises people to use this formula to rate the attractiveness of every investment decision they make. As one of the world’s richest people, he must know what he’s talking about. The moral is from the Aesop fable of The Hawk and the Nightingale. This is probably not one of the best fables for children, but there is a good point to it.

I have a version of Aesop fables with beautiful Milo Winter illustrations in hard cover published by Rand McNally & Co. I believe it is one of the best versions there is. Amazon has it in paperback by a different publisher, but the copy should be the same.  The Aesop for Children (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press)