Section 50
The Ass and His Shadow explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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A certain man hired an for a journey in summertime, and started out with the owner following behind to drive the beast. By and by, in the heat of the day, they stopped to rest, and the traveller wanted to lie down in the Ass's Shadow; but the owner, who himself wished to be out of the...
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Public-domain original
A certain man hired an for a journey in summertime, and started
out with the owner following behind to drive the beast. By and by, in
the heat of the day, they stopped to rest, and the traveller wanted to
lie down in the Ass's Shadow; but the owner, who himself wished to be
out of the sun, wouldn't let him do that; for he said he had hired the
Ass only, and not his Shadow: the other maintained that his bargain
secured him complete control of the Ass for the time being. From words
they came to blows; and while they were belabouring each other the Ass
took to his heels and was soon out of sight.
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
Two men fight over shade from an ass and lose the animal itself.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows how quarrels over small benefits can cost something larger.
Characters in this scene
- Ass: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- Shadow: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A traveler and the ass’s owner argue about who may use the shadow. While they quarrel, the ass runs away.