The Ass and the Wolf by Esopo (1637)

Name: The Ass and the Wolf
Author: Esopo

The Ass and the Wolf is a fable written by Esopo. The story goes as follows: A donkey once fell into a well. A wolf, seeing this, thought he could eat the donkey at his leisure. However, the donkey, instead of being afraid, begged the wolf to help him get out of the well. The wolf was surprised and asked why the donkey would want his help. The donkey replied that he had heard that wolves were known for their cunning and strength, and he believed that together, they could escape the well more easily than if he tried alone. The wolf was intrigued by the donkey's words and decided to help him out of the well. Once they reached the surface, the donkey thanked the wolf for his help and ran away as fast as he could. The wolf realized that he had been fooled by the donkey's cunning and vowed never to trust another animal again. The moral of the story is that one should not judge others based on their appearance or reputation, as they may have hidden talents or abilities that can be used to one's advantage.

By Esopo · First published 1637 · Genre: Fable, Children's literature, Moral · 205 words

First lines

An Ass was feeding in a meadow, and, catching sight of his enemy the Wolf in the distance, pretended to be very lame and hobbled painfully along. When the Wolf came up, he asked the Ass how he came to be so lame, and the Ass replied that in going through a hedge he had trodden on a thorn, and he begged the Wolf to pull it out with his teeth, "In case," he said, "when you eat me, it should stick in your throat and hurt you very much. " The Wolf said he would, and told the Ass to lift up his foot, and gave his whole mind to getting out the thorn. But the Ass suddenly let out with his heels and fetched the Wolf a fearful kick in the mouth, breaking his teeth; and then he galloped off at full speed. As soon as he could speak the Wolf growled to himself, "It serves me right: my father taught me to kill, and I ought to have stuck to that trade instead of attempting to cure. "

What this Textopian page supports

The Ass and the Wolf is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1637 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Fable
Author: Esopo
Date: 1637 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's literature, Moral, Fiction, Allegorical
Length: 205 words
Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The story 'The Ass and the Wolf' is a well-known fable by Aesop, a story typically featuring animals that convey a moral or lesson.
Children's literature — Fables, including those by Aesop, are primarily aimed at children due to their educational and moral lessons.
Moral — As a fable, 'The Ass and the Wolf' is intended to impart a moral or ethical lesson to its readers.
Fiction — While based on general observations about the nature of animals, the story is not based on true events and thus falls under the fiction genre.