Section 163
The Belly and the Members explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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The Members of the Body once rebelled against the Belly. "You," they said to the Belly, "live in luxury and sloth, and never do a stroke of work; while we not only have to do all the hard work there is to be done, but are actually your slaves and have to minister to all your w...
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Public-domain original
The Members of the Body once rebelled against the Belly. "You," they
said to the Belly, "live in luxury and sloth, and never do a stroke of
work; while we not only have to do all the hard work there is to be
done, but are actually your slaves and have to minister to all your
wants. Now, we will do so no longer, and you can shift for yourself
for the future." They were as good as their word, and left the Belly
to starve. The result was just what might have been expected: the
whole Body soon began to fail, and the Members and all shared in the
general collapse. And then they saw too late how foolish they had
been.
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What happens here
The Members of the Body once rebelled against the Belly.
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
- The Belly: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- The Members: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
In simple terms, The Belly and The Members face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.