The Stag at the Pool by Esopo (1602)

Name: The Stag at the Pool
Author: Esopo

The Stag at the Pool, by Esopo: A young man, tired of his mundane life, seeks adventure and stumbles upon a magical pool. Upon entering the pool, he transforms into a stag and experiences a new perspective on life.

By Esopo · First published 1602 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Short Stories · 187 words

First lines

A thirsty Stag went down to a pool to drink. As he bent over the surface he saw his own reflection in the water, and was struck with admiration for his fine spreading antlers, but at the same time he felt nothing but disgust for the weakness and slenderness of his legs. While he stood there looking at himself, he was seen and attacked by a Lion; but in the chase which ensued, he soon drew away from his pursuer, and kept his lead as long as the ground over which he ran was open and free of trees. But coming presently to a wood, he was caught by his antlers in the branches, and fell a victim to the teeth and claws of his enemy. "Woe is me! " he cried with his last breath; "I despised my legs, which might have saved my life: but I gloried in my horns, and they have proved my ruin. "

What this Textopian page supports

The Stag at the Pool is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1602 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: 1602 CE
Language: English
Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Short Stories, Fiction, Classics
Length: 187 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Stag at the Pool 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

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How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles

Genres

Fable — The author, Esopo, is known for his fables, and similar to his other works, 'The Stag at the Pool' uses animals to impart moral lessons or reflections.
Children's Literature — Fables like 'The Stag at the Pool' often fall into the genre of children's literature as they are commonly used to teach young readers valuable lessons about life and behaviour.
Short Stories — Esopo's works, including 'The Stag at the Pool', are typically short, and encapsulate one single moral or lesson, fitting into the short stories genre.
Fiction — The narrative of 'The Stag at the Pool' includes anthropomorphic animals and situations which happen in the realm of imagination, leading it to fall under the fiction genre.