Section 223
The Dog and the Wolf explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Dog was lying in the sun before a farmyard gate when a Wolf pounced upon him and was just going to eat him up; but he begged for his life and said, "You see how thin I am and what a wretched meal I should make you now: but if you will only wait a few days my master is going...
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Public-domain original
A Dog was lying in the sun before a farmyard gate when a Wolf pounced
upon him and was just going to eat him up; but he begged for his life
and said, "You see how thin I am and what a wretched meal I should
make you now: but if you will only wait a few days my master is going
to give a feast. All the rich scraps and pickings will fall to me and
I shall get nice and fat: then will be the time for you to eat me."
The Wolf thought this was a very good plan and went away. Some time
afterwards he came to the farmyard again, and found the Dog lying out
of reach on the stable roof. "Come down," he called, "and be eaten:
you remember our agreement?" But the Dog said coolly, "My friend, if
ever you catch me lying down by the gate there again, don't you wait
for any feast."
Once bitten, twice shy.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A short fable about The Dog and The Wolf shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns the lesson “Once bitten, twice shy.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.
Characters in this scene
- The Dog: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- The Wolf: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
In simple terms, The Dog and The Wolf face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.