Section 193
The Kid and the Wolf explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Kid strayed from the flock and was chased by a Wolf. When he saw he must be caught he turned round and said to the Wolf, "I know, sir, that I can't escape being eaten by you: and so, as my life is bound to be short, I pray you let it be as merry as may be. Will you not play...
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Public-domain original
A Kid strayed from the flock and was chased by a Wolf. When he saw he
must be caught he turned round and said to the Wolf, "I know, sir,
that I can't escape being eaten by you: and so, as my life is bound to
be short, I pray you let it be as merry as may be. Will you not play
me a tune to dance to before I die?" The Wolf saw no objection to
having some music before his dinner: so he took out his pipe and began
to play, while the Kid danced before him. Before many minutes were
passed the gods who guarded the flock heard the sound and came up to
see what was going on. They no sooner clapped eyes on the Wolf than
they gave chase and drove him away. As he ran off, he turned and
said to the Kid, "It's what I thoroughly deserve: my trade is the
butcher's, and I had no business to turn piper to please you."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A Kid strayed from the flock and was chased by a Wolf.
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 Kid: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
- The Wolf: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
Simple story version
In simple terms, The Kid and The Wolf face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.