A Modern Aesop
The telling of story in simple terms that has an inherently important
message is a venerable art form. The parable may be found teaching a moral
lesson in the Bible. Aesop is an incontrovertible master of the fable. This
story form is far from antiquated as shown by the whimsical approach to life
taken by the modern Aesop, James Thurber. His stories lampoon the strange 
behavior of his fellow men. Thurber seems unable to countenance the ideas that
permeate our society regarding the rules by which we should live. Least of all
is he able to accept the sanctimonious notion which some people promulgate
that good always wins out the evil. Thurber's stories often take an exactly
opposite didactic point of view.

to pull up stakes--to quit a place.
He could no longer rule the roost or get the lion's share, so he
pulled up stakes and moved on.