Section 76
Jupiter and the Tortoise explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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was about to marry a wife, and determined to celebrate the event by inviting all the animals to a banquet. They all came except the Tortoise, who did not put in an appearance, much to Jupiter's surprise. So when he next saw the Tortoise he asked him why he had not been at the banquet. "I don't...
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Public-domain original
was about to marry a wife, and determined to celebrate the
event by inviting all the animals to a banquet. They all came except
the Tortoise, who did not put in an appearance, much to Jupiter's
surprise. So when he next saw the Tortoise he asked him why he had not
been at the banquet. "I don't care for going out," said the Tortoise;
"there's no place like home." Jupiter was so much annoyed by this
reply that he decreed that from that time forth the Tortoise should
carry his house upon his back, and never be able to get away from home
even if he wished to.
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
A tortoise skips Jupiter’s wedding and explains that home is best.
Why this scene matters
This fable values contentment with one’s own home over public display.
Characters in this scene
- Jupiter: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Tortoise: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
Jupiter asks why the tortoise missed the feast. The tortoise answers that there is no place like home.