Section 16
The Horse and the Groom explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit. The Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried to the Groom, "If you really...
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Public-domain original
There was once a Groom who used to spend long hours clipping and
combing the Horse of which he had charge, but who daily stole a
portion of his allowance of oats, and sold it for his own profit. The
Horse gradually got into worse and worse condition, and at last cried
to the Groom, "If you really want me to look sleek and well, you must
comb me less and feed me more."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A groom steals the horse’s food while polishing the horse to look good.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns that surface care means little if the real need is neglected.
Characters in this scene
- Horse: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Groom: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A groom makes the horse look fine but takes away its food. The horse needs honest care more than appearance.