Section 118
The Viper and the File explained simply
Aesop's Fables by Aesop
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
A Viper entered a carpenter's shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, "What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get...
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Public-domain original
A Viper entered a carpenter's shop, and went from one to another of
the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed
himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File
replied in a tone of pitying contempt, "What a simpleton you must be
if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from
every one and never give anything in return."
The covetous are poor givers.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
What happens here
A viper bites a metal file and only hurts himself.
Why this scene matters
This fable warns that attacking what is stronger or harder than you may damage only yourself.
Characters in this scene
- Viper: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
- the File: A central figure in the fable’s conflict and lesson.
Simple story version
A viper tries to bite a file. The file is unharmed, and the viper gains nothing.