The Gnat and the Lion by Esopo
The Gnat and the Lion, by Esopo: A gnat once asked a lion for permission to cross his path. The lion, amused, agreed. As the gnat flew away, the lion pounced and devoured it. Moral: Do not ask for something you have no intention of giving.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 194 words
First lines
A Gnat once went up to a Lion and said, "I am not in the least afraid of you: I don't even allow that you are a match for me in strength. What does your strength amount to after all? That you can scratch with your claws and bite with your teeth -- just like a woman in a temper -- and nothing more. But I'm stronger than you: if you don't believe it, let us fight and see. " So saying, the Gnat sounded his horn, and darted in and bit the Lion on the nose. When the Lion felt the sting, in his haste to crush him he scratched his nose badly, and made it bleed, but failed altogether to hurt the Gnat, which buzzed off in triumph, elated by its victory. Presently, however, it got entangled in a spider's web, and was caught and eaten by the spider, thus falling a prey to an insignificant insect after having triumphed over the King of the Beasts.
What this Textopian page supports
The Gnat and the Lion 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, Fantasy, Drama, Adventure
- Length: 194 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Gnat and the Lion 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 Gnat and the Lion?
- 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 Fox And The Lion by Esopo
- The Gnat And The Bull by Esopo
- The Eagle And The Beetle by Esopo
- Jupiter And The Monkey by Esopo
- The Lion The Fox And The Ass by Esopo
- The Crab And The Fox by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is a renowned fable writer, and the book explores the moral lesson through the interplay between the gnat and the lion
- Children's Literature — The dramatization of animals and the simplicity of the language make it appealing to children.
- Fantasy — The book features talking animals, a common trait of fantasy genre.
- Drama — The interplay between the gnat and the lion can create dramatic situations.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · courage · humility · pride · strength · wisdom · nature · conflict · size · overconfidence