Section 20
The Spendthrift and the Swallow explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch. A change, however, took place in the...
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Public-domain original
A Spendthrift, who had wasted his fortune, and had nothing left but
the clothes in which he stood, saw a Swallow one fine day in early
spring. Thinking that summer had come, and that he could now do
without his coat, he went and sold it for what it would fetch. A
change, however, took place in the weather, and there came a sharp
frost which killed the unfortunate Swallow. When the Spendthrift saw
its dead body he cried, "Miserable bird! Thanks to you I am perishing
of cold myself."
One swallow does not make summer.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A man sells his coat too early because he thinks one swallow means summer has arrived.
Why this scene matters
This fable teaches not to make big decisions from one weak sign.
Characters in this scene
- Spendthrift: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Swallow: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A man sees a swallow and thinks warm weather is here. He sells his coat, then suffers when the cold returns.