Section 99
Mercury and the Tradesmen explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
When was creating man, he told to make an infusion of lies, and to add a little of it to the other ingredients which went to the making of the Tradesmen. Mercury did so, and introduced an equal amount into each in turn--the tallow-chandler, and the greengrocer, and the haberdasher, and all, till he came to...
Read full original text in reading mode
Public-domain original
When was creating man, he told to make an infusion of
lies, and to add a little of it to the other ingredients which went to
the making of the Tradesmen. Mercury did so, and introduced an equal
amount into each in turn--the tallow-chandler, and the greengrocer,
and the haberdasher, and all, till he came to the horse-dealer, who
was last on the list, when, finding that he had a quantity of the
infusion still left, he put it all into him. This is why all Tradesmen
lie more or less, but they none of them lie like a horse-dealer.
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
Mercury tests tradesmen and learns how each protects his own interest.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows how people may ask fairness from others while excusing themselves.
Characters in this scene
- Mercury: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Tradesmen: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
Mercury visits different tradesmen. Their answers reveal self-interest hidden under ordinary speech.