The Ant and the Pigeon Author:Leo Tolstoy, Kathleen Cook-Horujy (Translator) Tolstoy published fairy tales and stories (adapted from Aesop's fables) for the first time in 1874-1875 in "Abecedarul" and "Russian books for reading". The book's heroes are varied, they include people, gods, and monsters, but whatever their appearance, the author tells about them, primarily addressing children.