Section 121
The Oxen and the Butchers explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
Once upon a time the Oxen determined to be revenged upon the Butchers for the havoc they wrought in their ranks, and plotted to put them to death on a given day. They were all gathered together discussing how best to carry out the plan, and the more violent of them were engaged in sharpening their horns for...
Read full original text in reading mode
Public-domain original
Once upon a time the Oxen determined to be revenged upon the Butchers
for the havoc they wrought in their ranks, and plotted to put them to
death on a given day. They were all gathered together discussing how
best to carry out the plan, and the more violent of them were engaged
in sharpening their horns for the fray, when an old Ox got up upon his
feet and said, "My brothers, you have good reason, I know, to hate
these Butchers, but, at any rate, they understand their trade and do
what they have to do without causing unnecessary pain. But if we kill
them, others, who have no experience, will be set to slaughter us, and
will by their bungling inflict great sufferings upon us. For you may
be sure that, even though all the Butchers perish, mankind will never
go without their beef."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
Oxen plan to kill butchers but realize the work would pass to less skilled hands.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows that removing a problem without thinking ahead can make conditions worse.
Characters in this scene
- Oxen: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Butchers: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
The oxen hate the butchers. One ox warns that if they kill them, worse people may do the same work badly.