Section 139
The Tunny-Fish and the Dolphin explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Tunny-fish was chased by a Dolphin and splashed through the water at a great rate, but the Dolphin gradually gained upon him, and was just about to seize him when the force of his flight carried the Tunny on to a sandbank. In the heat of the chase the Dolphin followed him, and there they both lay...
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Public-domain original
A Tunny-fish was chased by a Dolphin and splashed through the water at
a great rate, but the Dolphin gradually gained upon him, and was just
about to seize him when the force of his flight carried the Tunny on
to a sandbank. In the heat of the chase the Dolphin followed him, and
there they both lay out of the water, gasping for dear life. When the
Tunny saw that his enemy was doomed like himself, he said, "I don't
mind having to die now: for I see that he who is the cause of my death
is about to share the same fate."
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A pursued fish and its pursuer both end up stranded.
Why this scene matters
This fable shows that revenge or pursuit can destroy both sides.
Characters in this scene
- Tunny-Fish: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the Dolphin: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A dolphin chases a tunny-fish until both are thrown ashore. The fish says dying with the enemy is some comfort.