Section 258
The Fox and the Leopard explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each claimed to be the more handsome of the two. The Leopard said, "Look at my smart coat; you have nothing to match that." But the Fox replied, "Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter still."
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Public-domain original
A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each claimed
to be the more handsome of the two. The Leopard said, "Look at my
smart coat; you have nothing to match that." But the Fox replied,
"Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter still."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each claimed to be the more handsome of the two.
Why this scene matters
This fable matters because it turns a common human habit into a short lesson about judgment and consequences.
Characters in this scene
- The Fox: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- The Leopard: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
A Fox and a Leopard were disputing about their looks, and each claimed to be the more handsome of the two. The Leopard said, "Look at my smart coat; you have nothing to match that." But the Fox replied, "Your coat may be smart, but my wits are smarter still."