Section 93
Mercury and the Sculptor explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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was very anxious to know in what estimation he was held by mankind; so he disguised himself as a man and walked into a Sculptor's studio, where there were a number of statues finished and ready for sale. Seeing a statue of among the rest, he inquired the price of it. "A crown," said the Sculptor....
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Public-domain original
was very anxious to know in what estimation he was held by
mankind; so he disguised himself as a man and walked into a Sculptor's
studio, where there were a number of statues finished and ready for
sale. Seeing a statue of among the rest, he inquired the price
of it. "A crown," said the Sculptor. "Is that all?" said he, laughing;
"and" (pointing to one of ) "how much is that one?" "That," was
the reply, "is half a crown." "And how much might you be wanting for
that one over there, now?" he continued, pointing to a statue of
himself. "That one?" said the Sculptor; "Oh, I'll throw him in for
nothing if you'll buy the other two."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
Mercury asks the price of statues and learns his own image is treated as nearly worthless.
Why this scene matters
This fable punctures vanity by showing that public value may be lower than self-importance.
Characters in this scene
- Mercury: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Sculptor: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
Mercury expects his statue to be valuable. The sculptor offers it almost for free with another purchase.