Section 196
The Herdsman and the Lost Bull explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Herdsman was tending his cattle when he missed a young Bull, one of the finest of the herd. He went at once to look for him, but, meeting with no success in his search, he made a vow that, if he should discover the thief, he would sacrifice a calf to . Continuing his...
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Public-domain original
A Herdsman was tending his cattle when he missed a young Bull, one of
the finest of the herd. He went at once to look for him, but, meeting
with no success in his search, he made a vow that, if he should
discover the thief, he would sacrifice a calf to . Continuing
his search, he entered a thicket, where he presently espied a lion
devouring the lost Bull. Terrified with fear, he raised his hands to
heaven and cried, "Great Jupiter, I vowed I would sacrifice a calf
to thee if I should discover the thief: but now a full-grown Bull
I promise thee if only I myself escape unhurt from his clutches."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
A Herdsman was tending his cattle when he missed a young Bull, one of the finest of the herd.
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 Herdsman: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- The Lost Bull: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
A Herdsman was tending his cattle when he missed a young Bull, one of the finest of the herd. He went at once to look for him, but, meeting with no success in his search, he made a vow that, if he should discover the thief, he would sacrifice a calf to Jupiter.