Section 94

The Fawn and His Mother explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

Excerpt preview

A Hind said to her Fawn, who was now well grown and strong, "My son, Nature has given you a powerful body and a stout pair of horns, and I can't think why you are such a coward as to run away from the hounds." Just then they both heard the sound of a pack in full cry,...
Read full original text in reading mode

Public-domain original

A Hind said to her Fawn, who was now well grown and strong, "My son, Nature has given you a powerful body and a stout pair of horns, and I can't think why you are such a coward as to run away from the hounds." Just then they both heard the sound of a pack in full cry, but at a considerable distance. "You stay where you are," said the Hind; "never mind me": and with that she ran off as fast as her legs could carry her.

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A fawn asks why his strong mother fears hounds.

Why this scene matters

This fable shows that courage is not only about size or strength.

Characters in this scene

  • Fawn: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
  • His Mother: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.

Simple story version

The fawn sees that his mother is larger than a dog and asks why she runs. She admits fear still moves her.