The Bull and the Calf by Esopo
The Bull and the Calf, by Esopo: A young calf, curious about its surroundings, approaches a bull in a nearby field. The bull, feeling threatened by the calf's presence, chases it away. The calf returns later, only to be chased again by the bull. This cycle continues until the calf learns to avoid the bull. Moral: Avoid those who are bigger and stronger than you, for they will always try to dominate you.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Classic Literature · 77 words
First lines
A full-grown Bull was struggling to force his huge bulk through the narrow entrance to a cow-house where his stall was, when a young Calf came up and said to him, "If you'll step aside a moment, I'll show you the way to get through. " The Bull turned upon him an amused look. "I knew that way," said he, "before you were born. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Bull and the Calf is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1668 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: 1668 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Classic Literature, Folklore
- Length: 77 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Bull and the Calf by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Bull and the Calf?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Herdsman And The Lost Bull by Esopo
- The Ass And The Mule by Esopo
- The Lion And The Boar by Esopo
- The Hare And The Hound by Esopo
- The Hound And The Hare by Esopo
- The Blacksmith And His Dog by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is renowned for his fables, which often feature animals, like bulls and calves, as the main characters. The narrative presumably carries moral lessons typical of fables.
- Children's Literature — Esopo's fables are traditionally targeted towards children due to their educational value.
- Classic Literature — Esopo's fables have been widely read for centuries and are part of the canon of classic literature.
- Folklore — Esopo's fables draw from cultural, mythological and moral themes common in folklore.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · wisdom · life lessons · allegory · friendship · family · growth · nature · conflict · courage