The Travellers and the Plane-Tree

Name: The Travellers and the Plane-Tree
Author: Esopo

Esopo's "The Travellers and the Plane-Tree" is a fable about two travelers who come across a plane-tree on their journey. The tree offers them shelter, but only one of them takes advantage of it. Can you tell me more about this story?

By Esopo · First published 1602 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore · 152 words

First lines

Two Travellers were walking along a bare and dusty road in the heat of a summer's day. Coming presently to a Plane-tree, they joyfully turned aside to shelter from the burning rays of the sun in the deep shade of its spreading branches. As they rested, looking up into the tree, one of them remarked to his companion, "What a useless tree the Plane is! It bears no fruit and is of no service to man at all. " The Plane-tree interrupted him with indignation. "You ungrateful creature! " it cried: "you come and take shelter under me from the scorching sun, and then, in the very act of enjoying the cool shade of my foliage, you abuse me and call me good for nothing! "

What this Textopian page supports

The Travellers and the Plane-Tree 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, Folklore
Length: 152 words
Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

Good citation fit

Work identity for The Travellers and the Plane-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 Travellers and the Plane-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

Genres

Fable — Esopo, otherwise known as Aesop, is a well-known fabulist or writer of fables. His works often involve animals and inanimate objects that speak and solve problems. As 'The Travellers and the Plane-Tree' fits into this description, it is a classic example of a fable.
Children's Literature — Fables, like 'The Travellers and the Plane-Tree', are often used to teach moral lessons to children. Due to its simplicity, and the teaching of a moral at the end, it could also be categorized under Children's Literature.
Folklore — Aesop's fables, although they are written, often reflect popular stories or morals that have been passed down through oral tradition, and therefore can be considered under the genre of Folklore.