Section 157
The Grasshopper and the Owl explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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An Owl, who lived in a hollow tree, was in the habit of feeding by night and sleeping by day; but her slumbers were greatly disturbed by the chirping of a Grhopper, who had taken up his abode in the branches. She begged him repeatedly to have some consideration for her comfort, but the Grasshopper, if anything, only...
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An Owl, who lived in a hollow tree, was in the habit of feeding by
night and sleeping by day; but her slumbers were greatly disturbed
by the chirping of a Grhopper, who had taken up his abode in the
branches. She begged him repeatedly to have some consideration for her
comfort, but the Grasshopper, if anything, only chirped the louder. At
last the Owl could stand it no longer, but determined to rid
herself of the pest by means of a trick. Addressing herself to the
Grasshopper, she said in her pleasantest manner, "As I cannot sleep
for your song, which, believe me, is as sweet as the notes of Apollo's
lyre, I have a mind to taste some nectar, which Minerva gave me
the other day. Won't you come in and join me?" The Grasshopper was
flattered by the praise of his song, and his mouth, too, watered at
the mention of the delicious drink, so he said he would be delighted.
No sooner had he got inside the hollow where the Owl was sitting than
she pounced upon him and ate him up.
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
An owl flatters a noisy grasshopper into coming close enough to be eaten.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns that flattery from an annoyed enemy may be a trap.
Characters in this scene
- Grasshopper: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Owl: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The grasshopper keeps disturbing the owl. The owl praises his voice and offers a drink, then catches him.