Section 70
The Quack Frog explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
Once upon a time a Frog came forth from his home in the marshes and proclaimed to all the world that he was a learned physician, skilled in drugs and able to cure all diseases. Among the crowd was a Fox, who called out, "You a doctor! Why, how can you set up to heal others when you...
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Public-domain original
Once upon a time a Frog came forth from his home in the marshes and
proclaimed to all the world that he was a learned physician, skilled
in drugs and able to cure all diseases. Among the crowd was a Fox, who
called out, "You a doctor! Why, how can you set up to heal others when
you cannot even cure your own lame legs and blotched and wrinkled
skin?"
Physician, heal thyself.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A frog claims to cure others, but a fox asks why he cannot cure himself.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns against trusting advice from someone whose own life contradicts it.
Characters in this scene
- Quack Frog: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A frog advertises himself as a healer. The fox points out that he still looks sick and unhealed.