Section 135
The Trumpeter Taken Prisoner explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Trumpeter marched into battle in the van of the army and put courage into his comrades by his warlike tunes. Being captured by the enemy, he begged for his life, and said, "Do not put me to death; I have killed no one: indeed, I have no weapons, but carry with me only my trumpet here." But...
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Public-domain original
A Trumpeter marched into battle in the van of the army and put courage
into his comrades by his warlike tunes. Being captured by the enemy,
he begged for his life, and said, "Do not put me to death; I have
killed no one: indeed, I have no weapons, but carry with me only my
trumpet here." But his captors replied, "That is only the more reason
why we should take your life; for, though you do not fight yourself,
you stir up others to do so."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A trumpeter says he has killed no one, but his captors say he encouraged battle.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows that helping violence can carry responsibility even without direct action.
Characters in this scene
- Trumpeter Taken Prisoner: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A captured trumpeter asks for mercy because he carries no weapon. The enemy says his trumpet stirred others to fight.