The Peasant and the Apple-Tree
The Peasant and the Apple-Tree, by Esopo: A peasant once found an apple-tree growing in his field. He was delighted and said, "This tree will bring me wealth!" He began to climb it, but the tree replied, "I am not a treasure trove for you to plunder." The peasant was taken aback and slunk away, realizing he had been foolish to think he could take from nature without giving anything in return.
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Children's literature · 193 words
First lines
A Peasant had an Apple-tree growing in his garden, which bore no fruit, but merely served to provide a shelter from the heat for the sparrows and grasshoppers which sat and chirped in its branches. Disappointed at its barrenness he determined to cut it down, and went and fetched his axe for the purpose. But when the sparrows and the grasshoppers saw what he was about to do, they begged him to spare it, and said to him, "If you destroy the tree we shall have to seek shelter elsewhere, and you will no longer have our merry chirping to enliven your work in the garden. " He, however, refused to listen to them, and set to work with a will to cut through the trunk. A few strokes showed that it was hollow inside and contained a swarm of bees and a large store of honey. Delighted with his find he threw down his axe, saying, "The old tree is worth keeping after all. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Peasant and the Apple-Tree 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, Folklore, Children's literature, Mythology, Anthropomorphism
- Length: 193 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Peasant and the Apple-Tree 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 Peasant and the Apple-Tree?
- 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 Olive Tree And The Fig Tree by Esopo
- The Mule by Esopo
- The Crab And His Mother by Esopo
- The Fisherman Piping by Esopo
- The Two Bags by Esopo
- The Travellers And The Plane Tree by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is a renowned author of fables, where animals and nature are often personified to convey moral lessons.
- Folklore — The book incorporates elements of oral traditions, especially given the depiction of a peasant, a common symbol in folklore.
- Children's literature — Esopo's stories are often designed to teach children about virtues and ethics, making this book a popular choice in children's literature.
- Mythology — Esopo's works often draw from ancient Greek mythology, assigning moral qualities to non-human entities like an apple-tree.
Tags
fable · morality · nature · simplicity · wisdom · greed · humility · life lessons · rural life · character development · allegory · human behavior