Section 29
The Fox and the Stork explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Fox invited a Stork to dinner, at which the only fare provided was a large flat dish of soup. The Fox lapped it up with great relish, but the Stork with her long bill tried in vain to partake of the savoury broth. Her evident distress caused the sly Fox much amusement. But not long after the...
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Public-domain original
A Fox invited a Stork to dinner, at which the only fare provided was a
large flat dish of soup. The Fox lapped it up with great relish, but
the Stork with her long bill tried in vain to partake of the savoury
broth. Her evident distress caused the sly Fox much amusement. But not
long after the Stork invited him in turn, and set before him a pitcher
with a long and narrow neck, into which she could get her bill with
ease. Thus, while she enjoyed her dinner, the Fox sat by hungry and
helpless, for it was impossible for him to reach the tempting contents
of the vessel.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A fox tricks a stork at dinner, and the stork returns the trick.
Why this scene matters
This fable teaches that unfair treatment often comes back to the person who started it.
Characters in this scene
- Fox: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Stork: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The fox serves food the stork cannot eat. Later the stork serves food in a vessel the fox cannot use.