This work is a critique, from an ethical perspective, of contemporary trends in lifelong learning policy and management. It focuses attention on 21 trends, each represented by a fable that is drawn from the experience of a stake-holder. The trends have been selected as exemplifying common responses to contemporary cultural change. They are drawn from a number of different countries and across educational sectors: higher, adult and vocational education and post-compulsory schooling. Each fable is explained, examined and grounded in scholarship on educational change and applied ethics through an accompanying account. The work is directed to educational policy makers and managers. It has been designed for use as a resource in advanced under-graduate and post-graduate professional development programs in educational policy, leadership, change, change management, justice and ethics. Its unique use of fables, accompanying accounts and background theory allows readers to engage with the text at different levels