Section 230
Demades and his Fable explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
the orator was once speaking in the Assembly at Athens; but the people were very inattentive to what he was saying, so he stopped and said, "Gentlemen, I should like to tell you one of Æsop's fables." This made every one listen intently. Then Demades began: "Demeter, a...
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Public-domain original
the orator was once speaking in the Assembly at Athens; but
the people were very inattentive to what he was saying, so he stopped
and said, "Gentlemen, I should like to tell you one of Æsop's fables."
This made every one listen intently. Then Demades began: "Demeter, a
Swallow, and an Eel were once travelling together, and came to a river
without a bridge: the Swallow flew over it, and the Eel swam across";
and then he stopped. "What happened to Demeter?" cried several people
in the audience. "Demeter," he replied, "is very angry with you for
listening to fables when you ought to be minding public business."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
A short fable about Demades and his Fable shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns a common human habit into a short lesson about judgment and consequences.
Characters in this scene
- Demades: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- his Fable: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
In simple terms, Demades and his Fable face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.