Section 153
The Cock and the Jewel explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Cock, scratching the ground for something to eat, turned up a Jewel that had by chance been dropped there. "Ho!" said he, "a fine thing you are, no doubt, and, had your owner found you, great would his joy have been. But for me! give me a single grain of corn before all the jewels in the...
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Public-domain original
A Cock, scratching the ground for something to eat, turned up a Jewel
that had by chance been dropped there. "Ho!" said he, "a fine thing
you are, no doubt, and, had your owner found you, great would his joy
have been. But for me! give me a single grain of corn before all the
jewels in the world."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A cock finds a jewel but would rather have food.
Why this scene matters
This fable teaches that value depends on need and context.
Characters in this scene
- Cock: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Jewel: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A cock discovers a precious jewel. Since he needs grain, the jewel is useless to him.