Section 232

The Crow and the Snake explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

Excerpt preview

A hungry Crow spied a Snake lying asleep in a sunny spot, and, picking it up in his claws, he was carrying it off to a place where he could make a meal of it without being disturbed, when the Snake reared its head and bit him. It was a poisonous Snake, and the bite was fatal,...
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Public-domain original

A hungry Crow spied a Snake lying asleep in a sunny spot, and, picking it up in his claws, he was carrying it off to a place where he could make a meal of it without being disturbed, when the Snake reared its head and bit him. It was a poisonous Snake, and the bite was fatal, and the dying Crow said, "What a cruel fate is mine! I thought I had made a lucky find, and it has cost me my life!"

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A short fable about The Crow and The Snake shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.

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 Crow: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
  • The Snake: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.

Simple story version

In simple terms, The Crow and The Snake face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.