The Hares and the Frogs by Esopo
The Hares and the Frogs, by Esopo: A fable about two animals who make a deal that ultimately leads to their downfall. The hare, known for his speed and arrogance, belittles the slow-moving frog and suggests they race each other. The frog, eager to prove himself, agrees to the race despite being significantly slower than the hare. To the surprise of the frog, the hare takes a nap mid-race, thinking he has already won. The frog, taking advantage of the hare's slumber, catches up and passes him, winning the race. Moral of the story: Be careful who you underestimate or make deals with, as they may turn against you.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy · 193 words
First lines
The Hares once gathered together and lamented the unhappiness of their lot, exposed as they were to dangers on all sides and lacking the strength and the courage to hold their own. Men, dogs, birds and beasts of prey were all their enemies, and killed and devoured them daily: and sooner than endure such persecution any longer, they one and all determined to end their miserable lives. Thus resolved and desperate, they rushed in a body towards a neighbouring pool, intending to drown themselves. On the bank were sitting a number of Frogs, who, when they heard the noise of the Hares as they ran, with one accord leaped into the water and hid themselves in the depths. Then one of the older Hares who was wiser than the rest cried out to his companions, "Stop, my friends, take heart; don't let us destroy ourselves after all: see, here are creatures who are afraid of us, and who must, therefore, be still more timid than ourselves. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Hares and the Frogs 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, Folklore, Mythology
- Length: 193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Hares and the Frogs 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 Hares and the Frogs?
- 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 Bat And The Weasels by Esopo
- The Eagle And The Cocks by Esopo
- The Wily Lion by Esopo
- The Eagle The Cat And The Wild Sow by Esopo
- The Mice And The Weasels by Esopo
- The Shepherd And The Wolf by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo, also known as Aesop, is a famous fabulist or story teller known for his fables, and the title suggests animal characters which commonly feature in fables.
- Children's Literature — The fables by Aesop, including this one entitled 'The Hares and the Frogs' are often read and told to children due to the moral values they instruct.
- Fantasy — The aspect of talking and intellectual animals and the surreal setting and situations commonly found in Aesop's fables can categorize it as Fantasy.
- Folklore — The fables, such as this one, were orally passed down across generations, which classifies it under Folklore.
Tags
fable · animals · morality · nature · conflict · fear · survival · wisdom · friendship · caution · perspective · allegory