The Wolf and the Lamb by Esopo
The Wolf and the Lamb is a fable written by Esopo. The story goes like this: A hungry wolf spots a lamb grazing in a meadow and decides to make a meal of it. However, the lamb is too quick for the wolf and leads him on a merry chase through the forest, ultimately losing the wolf in a thicket. The moral of the story is that cunning can sometimes be a disadvantage, as the wolf's cleverness only leads to his own defeat.
By Esopo · First published 1667 · Genre: Fable, Children Literature, Classic Literature · 178 words
First lines
A Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse; so he cast about for a grievance and said at last, "Last year, sirrah, you grossly insulted me. " "That is impossible, sir," bleated the Lamb, "for I wasn't born then. " "Well," retorted the Wolf, "you feed in my pastures. " "That cannot be," replied the Lamb, "for I have never yet tasted grass. " "You drink from my spring, then," continued the Wolf. "Indeed, sir," said the poor Lamb, "I have never yet drunk anything but my mother's milk. " "Well, anyhow," said the Wolf, "I'm not going without my dinner": and he sprang upon the Lamb and devoured it without more ado.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wolf and the Lamb is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1667 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: 1667 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children Literature, Classic Literature, Didactic Literature
- Length: 178 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wolf and the Lamb?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Viper And The File by Esopo
- The Lamb Chased By A Wolf by Esopo
- The Wolf And The Shepherd by Esopo
- The Snake And Jupiter by Esopo
- The Wasp And The Snake by Esopo
- The Crow And The Snake by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo's 'The Wolf and the Lamb' is a renowned fable that utilizes animals as characters to illustrate moral lessons.
- Children Literature — Often, fables like this one are used as children's literature, allowing moral lessons to be imparted through storytelling.
- Classic Literature — Given Esopo's status as a classical writer, 'The Wolf and the Lamb' falls into the category of classic literature.
- Didactic Literature — Fables are typically considered didactic literature as they aim to instruct or provide some moral lesson.
Tags
fable · morality · animal characters · deception · power dynamics · innocence · predation · justice · victimization · wisdom · consequences · nature