Section 114
The Rich Man and the Tanner explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Rich Man took up his residence next door to a Tanner, and found the smell of the tan-yard so extremely unpleasant that he told him he must go. The Tanner delayed his departure, and the Rich Man had to speak to him several times about it; and every time the Tanner said he was making arrangements to...
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Public-domain original
A Rich Man took up his residence next door to a Tanner, and found the
smell of the tan-yard so extremely unpleasant that he told him he must
go. The Tanner delayed his departure, and the Rich Man had to speak
to him several times about it; and every time the Tanner said he was
making arrangements to move very shortly. This went on for some time,
till at last the Rich Man got so used to the smell that he ceased to
mind it, and troubled the Tanner with his objections no more.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A rich man complains about a tanner’s smell until he grows used to it.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows how repeated exposure can make even unpleasant things feel normal.
Characters in this scene
- Rich Man: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Tanner: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A rich man keeps asking his tanner neighbor to move. Over time he becomes used to the smell and stops complaining.