Section 41
The Oak and the Reeds explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
An Oak that grew on the bank of a river was uprooted by a severe gale of wind, and thrown across the stream. It fell among some Reeds growing by the water, and said to them, "How is it that you, who are so frail and slender, have managed to weather the storm, whereas I, with all my...
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Public-domain original
An Oak that grew on the bank of a river was uprooted by a severe
gale of wind, and thrown across the stream. It fell among some Reeds
growing by the water, and said to them, "How is it that you, who are
so frail and slender, have managed to weather the storm, whereas I,
with all my strength, have been torn up by the roots and hurled into
the river?" "You were stubborn," came the reply, "and fought against
the storm, which proved stronger than you: but we bow and yield to
every breeze, and thus the gale passed harmlessly over our heads."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A strong oak resists the storm and falls, while reeds bend and survive.
Why this scene matters
This fable teaches that flexibility can outlast rigid strength.
Characters in this scene
- Oak: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Reeds: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The oak is proud of standing firm. A storm breaks it, while the reeds survive by bending.