Section 126
The Goat and the Vine explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Goat was straying in a vineyard, and began to browse on the tender shoots of a Vine which bore several fine bunches of grapes. "What have I done to you," said the Vine, "that you should harm me thus? Isn't there gr enough for you to feed on? All the same, even if you eat up every...
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Public-domain original
A Goat was straying in a vineyard, and began to browse on the tender
shoots of a Vine which bore several fine bunches of grapes. "What have
I done to you," said the Vine, "that you should harm me thus? Isn't
there gr enough for you to feed on? All the same, even if you eat
up every leaf I have, and leave me quite bare, I shall produce
wine enough to pour over you when you are led to the altar to be
sacrificed."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
A goat eats a vine that can later supply branches for sacrifice.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows that harming what may later be used against you is still shortsighted.
Characters in this scene
- Goat: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Vine: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The goat chews the vine. The vine says it can still provide the wood used when the goat is sacrificed.