The Viper and the File by Esopo
Esopo's "The Viper and the File" is a fable about a viper who is injured by a file. The viper asks the file to help him, but the file refuses, citing the harm it has already caused to the viper. The moral of the story is that one should not seek help from those who have caused harm in the past.
By Esopo · First published 1602 · Genre: Fable, Classic Literature, Children's Literature · 89 words
First lines
A Viper entered a carpenter's shop, and went from one to another of the tools, begging for something to eat. Among the rest, he addressed himself to the File, and asked for the favour of a meal. The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, "What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from everyone and never give anything in return. "
The covetous are poor givers.
What this Textopian page supports
The Viper and the File 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, Classic Literature, Children's Literature, Fantasy
- Length: 89 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Viper and the File 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 Viper and the File?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Partridge And The Fowler by Esopo
- The Bear And The Fox by Esopo
- The Ploughman And The Wolf by Esopo
- The Fox And The Grasshopper by Esopo
- The Wasp And The Snake by Esopo
- The Crab And The Fox by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — As Esopo is known for his fables, and given the anthropomorphic characters implied by 'The Viper and the File', this suggests a lesson or moral being depicted through animal characters.
- Classic Literature — Esopo's works are typically categorized as Classic Literature due to their historical and cultural significance.
- Children's Literature — Esopo's fables often employ simple language and engaging characters suitable for children, and they often contain moral lessons suitable for young readers.
- Fantasy — The element of talking or reasoning animals gives Esopo's work a fantastical element.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · deception · betrayal · wisdom · cautionary tale · friendship · trust · consequences · nature · allegory