
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing, written by Esopo, is a fable about a wolf who disguises himself as a sheep to infiltrate and devour the flock. The story teaches the lesson that appearances can be deceiving and that one should not judge others based solely on their appearance.
By Esopo · First published 1782 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore · 106 words
First lines
A Wolf resolved to disguise himself in order that he might prey upon a flock of sheep without fear of detection. So he clothed himself in a sheepskin, and slipped among the sheep when they were out at pasture. He completely deceived the shepherd, and when the flock was penned for the night he was shut in with the rest. But that very night as it happened, the shepherd, requiring a supply of mutton for the table, laid hands on the Wolf in mistake for a Sheep, and killed him with his knife on the spot.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1782 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: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Folklore, Moralistic Literature, Classic Literature
- Length: 106 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing 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 Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?
- 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 is traditionally known as an author of fables, and 'The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' is considered a classic example of this genre. It uses animals with human characteristics to deliver a moral lesson, which is a defining feature of fables.
- Children's Literature — Despite its moralistic themes, the story is often used in children's literature due to its easy digestibility for a young audience, use of anthropomorphic characters, and the simplistic style of writing.
- Folklore — The story is a part of Greek folklore and effectively found its way into the folklore traditions of other cultures due to the universal appeal of its moral guidance.
- Moralistic Literature — As a fable, the story inherently provides a lesson or moral guidance, thus, it can fall under the genre of moralistic literature.
Tags
fable · morality · deception · animals · cautionary tale · betrayal · appearance vs reality · wisdom · trust · naivety · survival · cunning
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