Section 251

The Eagle and the Fox explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

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An Eagle and a Fox became great friends and determined to live near one another: they thought that the more they saw of each other the better friends they would be. So the Eagle built a nest at the top of a high tree, while the Fox settled in a thicket at the foot of it and pr...
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An Eagle and a Fox became great friends and determined to live near one another: they thought that the more they saw of each other the better friends they would be. So the Eagle built a nest at the top of a high tree, while the Fox settled in a thicket at the foot of it and produced a litter of cubs. One day the Fox went out foraging for food, and the Eagle, who also wanted food for her young, flew down into the thicket, caught up the Fox's cubs, and carried them up into the tree for a meal for herself and her family. When the Fox came back, and found out what had happened, she was not so much sorry for the loss of her cubs as furious because she couldn't get at the Eagle and pay her out for her treachery. So she sat down not far off and cursed her. But it wasn't long before she had her revenge. Some villagers happened to be sacrificing a goat on a neighbouring altar, and the Eagle flew down and carried off a piece of burning flesh to her nest. There was a strong wind blowing, and the nest caught fire, with the result that her fledglings fell half-roasted to the ground. Then the Fox ran to the spot and devoured them in full sight of the Eagle. False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.

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What happens here

An Eagle and a Fox became great friends and determined to live near one another: they thought that the more they saw of each other the better friends they would be.

Why this scene matters

This fable matters because it turns the lesson “False faith may escape human punishment, but cannot escape the divine.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.

Characters in this scene

  • The Eagle: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
  • The Fox: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.

Simple story version

An Eagle and a Fox became great friends and determined to live near one another: they thought that the more they saw of each other the better friends they would be. So the Eagle built a nest at the top of a high tree, while the Fox settled in a thicket at the foot of it and produced a litter of cubs.