Section 152
The Fly and the Draught-Mule explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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A Fly sat on one of the shafts of a cart and said to the Mule who was pulling it, "How slow you are! Do mend your pace, or I shall have to use my sting as a goad." The Mule was not in the least disturbed. "Behind me, in the cart," said he, "sits my master. He...
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Public-domain original
A Fly sat on one of the shafts of a cart and said to the Mule who was
pulling it, "How slow you are! Do mend your pace, or I shall have to
use my sting as a goad." The Mule was not in the least disturbed.
"Behind me, in the cart," said he, "sits my master. He holds the
reins, and flicks me with his whip, and him I obey, but I don't want
any of your impertinence. _I_ know when I may dawdle and when I may
not."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A fly threatens a mule while contributing nothing to the work.
Why this scene matters
This fable mocks people who act powerful while others do the labor.
Characters in this scene
- Fly: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Draught-Mule: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A fly sits on the cart and tells the mule to hurry. The mule ignores the tiny passenger’s false authority.