Section 42
The Blind Man and the Cub explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
There was once a Blind Man who had so fine a sense of touch that, when any animal was put into his hands, he could tell what it was merely by the feel of it. One day the Cub of a Wolf was put into his hands, and he was asked what it was. He felt it for...
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Public-domain original
There was once a Blind Man who had so fine a sense of touch that, when
any animal was put into his hands, he could tell what it was merely by
the feel of it. One day the Cub of a Wolf was put into his hands, and
he was asked what it was. He felt it for some time, and then said,
"Indeed, I am not sure whether it is a Wolf's Cub or a Fox's: but this
I know--it would never do to trust it in a sheepfold."
Evil tendencies are early shown.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A blind man recognizes danger in a young animal by touch.
Why this scene matters
This fable teaches that harmful tendencies can appear early.
Characters in this scene
- Blind Man: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Cub: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A blind man cannot see the cub, but he can tell it should not be trusted near sheep.