The Fox and the Goat by Esopo (1668)
The Fox and the Goat, by Esopo: A classic fable about a cunning fox who tricks a goat into climbing too high in a tree and then abandons it to its fate.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore · 278 words
First lines
A Fox fell into a well and was unable to get out again. By and by a thirsty Goat came by, and seeing the Fox in the well asked him if the water was good. "Good? " said the Fox, "it's the best water I ever tasted in all my life. Come down and try it yourself. " The Goat thought of nothing but the prospect of quenching his thirst, and jumped in at once. When he had had enough to drink, he looked about, like the Fox, for some way of getting out, but could find none. Presently the Fox said, "I have an idea. You stand on your hind legs, and plant your forelegs firmly against the side of the well, and then I'll climb on to your back, and, from there, by stepping on your horns, I can get out. And when I'm out, I'll help you out too. " The Goat did as he was requested, and the Fox climbed on to his back and so out of the well; and then he coolly walked away.
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox and the Goat 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, Folklore, Animal Fiction, Classic
- Length: 278 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fox and the Goat by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Fox and the Goat?
- 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 Parrot And The Cat by Esopo
- The Monkey And The Dolphin by Esopo
- The Fox And The Grasshopper by Esopo
- The Viper And The File by Esopo
- The Bear And The Fox by Esopo
- The Hare And The Hound by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — The story is a short narrative featuring anthropomorphic animals to deliver a moral lesson, which is characteristic of a fable.
- Children's Literature — The simplicity of the language, as well as the moral lesson being conveyed, commonly appears in children's literature.
- Folklore — As a work of Esopo, the story can be classified under folklore as it is a traditional story passed down generations.
- Animal Fiction — The main characters are animals who talk and behave like humans, fitting it under the animal fiction genre.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · deception · wisdom · cautionary tale · friendship · problem-solving · trust · consequences · cleverness · nature