Section 137

The Eagle, the Cat, and the Wild Sow explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

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An Eagle built her nest at the top of a high tree; a Cat with her family occupied a hollow in the trunk half-way down; and a Wild Sow and her young took up their quarters at the foot. They might have got on very well as neighbours had it not been for the evil cunning of the...
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Public-domain original

An Eagle built her nest at the top of a high tree; a Cat with her family occupied a hollow in the trunk half-way down; and a Wild Sow and her young took up their quarters at the foot. They might have got on very well as neighbours had it not been for the evil cunning of the Cat. Climbing up to the Eagle's nest she said to the Eagle, "You and I are in the greatest possible danger. That dreadful creature, the Sow, who is always to be seen grubbing away at the foot of the tree, means to uproot it, that she may devour your family and mine at her ease." Having thus driven the Eagle almost out of her senses with terror, the Cat climbed down the tree, and said to the Sow, "I must warn you against that dreadful bird, the Eagle. She is only waiting her chance to fly down and carry off one of your little pigs when you take them out, to feed her brood with." She succeeded in frightening the Sow as much as the Eagle. Then she returned to her hole in the trunk, from which, feigning to be afraid, she never came forth by day. Only by night did she creep out unseen to procure food for her kittens. The Eagle, meanwhile was afraid to stir from her nest, and the Sow dared not leave her home among the roots: so that in time both they and their families perished of hunger, and their dead bodies supplied the Cat with ample food for her growing family.

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What happens here

A cat destroys two neighbors by spreading fear between them.

Why this scene matters

This fable shows how rumor and suspicion can ruin communities without open attack.

Characters in this scene

  • Eagle: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
  • the Cat: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
  • the Wild Sow: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.

Simple story version

The cat tells the eagle and sow that each is dangerous to the other. Both stay hidden, and their young die.