The Ox and the Frog by Esopo (1668)
The Ox and the Frog, by Esopo: A classic fable about a clever ox who outwits a foolish frog. The frog, desperate to catch a fish, asks the ox for help. The ox agrees but sets a trap for the frog, catching him in a sack and then releases him, teaching him a lesson about being too trusting.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Educational · 202 words
First lines
Two little Frogs were playing about at the edge of a pool when an Ox came down to the water to drink, and by accident trod on one of them and crushed the life out of him. When the old Frog missed him, she asked his brother where he was. "He is dead, mother," said the little Frog; "an enormous big creature with four legs came to our pool this morning and trampled him down in the mud. " "Enormous, was he? Was he as big as this? " said the Frog, puffing herself out to look as big as possible. "Oh! yes, much bigger," was the answer. The Frog puffed herself out still more. "Was he as big as this? " said she. "Oh! yes, yes, mother, much bigger," said the little Frog. And yet again she puffed and puffed herself out till she was almost as round as a ball. "As big as. ? " she began -- but then she burst.
What this Textopian page supports
The Ox and the Frog 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, Educational, Animal Fiction
- Length: 202 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Ox and the Frog 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 Ox and the Frog?
- 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 Mule by Esopo
- The Ass And His Shadow by Esopo
- The Bald Huntsman by Esopo
- The Goatherd And The Wild Goats by Esopo
- The Swollen Fox by Esopo
- The Wolf And The Goat by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is best known for fables, a genre characterized by short tales often featuring animals and conveying a moral.
- Children's Literature — Given Esopo's tendency to write fables featuring animals, as is the case in 'The Ox and the Frog', this book also fits into the genre of children's literature which often utilizes such characters and narratives to teach messages and lessons.
- Educational — In line with the nature of fables, 'The Ox and the Frog' provides an educational moral lesson, positioning it within this genre.
- Animal Fiction — The title 'The Ox and The Frog' suggests an interaction between these two animals, placing this book within the animal fiction genre.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · humor · lesson · greed · hubris · nature · friendship · consequences · wisdom · cautionary tale