Section 112
The Image-Seller explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
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A certain man made a wooden Image of , and exposed it for sale in the market. As no one offered to buy it, however, he thought he would try to attract a purchaser by proclaiming the virtues of the Image. So he cried up and down the market, "A god for sale! a god for sale! One...
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Public-domain original
A certain man made a wooden Image of , and exposed it for sale
in the market. As no one offered to buy it, however, he thought he
would try to attract a purchaser by proclaiming the virtues of the
Image. So he cried up and down the market, "A god for sale! a god for
sale! One who'll bring you luck and keep you lucky!" Presently one of
the bystanders stopped him and said, "If your god is all you make
him out to be, how is it you don't keep him and make the most of him
yourself?" "I'll tell you why," replied he; "he brings gain, it is
true, but he takes his time about it; whereas I want money at once."
Public-domain original text shown for study context. Underlined terms can be tapped for simple reader notes.
What happens here
A seller praises a lucky god statue but is asked why he does not keep it himself.
Why this scene matters
This fable questions claims made only to sell something.
Characters in this scene
- Image-Seller: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A man sells an image of Mercury and says it brings luck. A buyer asks why he would sell such a useful god.