The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape
The story revolves around a dispute between a wolf and a fox over a stolen item. The case is brought before an ape who serves as judge. After hearing both sides, the ape delivers a verdict that appears to contradict itself: he believes the wolf did not lose anything but also thinks the fox is guilty of theft. This paradoxical judgment highlights the idea that dishonest individuals often receive no credit for their honesty, even when they attempt to act virtuously. The ape's decision suggests that his primary concern is not with determining guilt or innocence, but rather with acknowledging the inherent nature of the parties involved. The story implies that people are often judged based on their character and reputation, rather than their actions in a specific instance. This theme is reinforced by the ape's statement, which underscores the notion that dishonest individuals will always be seen as such, regardless of their behavior.
By Esopo · First published 1667 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Classic Literature · 100 words
First lines
A Wolf charged a Fox with theft, which he denied, and the case was brought before an Ape to be tried. When he had heard the evidence on both sides, the Ape gave judgment as follows: "I do not think," he said, "that you, O Wolf, ever lost what you claim; but all the same I believe that you, Fox, are guilty of the theft, in spite of all your denials. "
The dishonest get no credit, even if they act honestly.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape 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's Literature, Classic Literature, Fiction
- Length: 100 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape 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 Wolf, the Fox, and the Ape?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Bat And The Weasels by Esopo
- The Lion The Fox And The Stag by Esopo
- The Eagle The Cat And The Wild Sow by Esopo
- The Lion The Fox And The Ass by Esopo
- The Dogs And The Hides by Esopo
- The Jackdaw And The Pigeons by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — As a work attributed to the author Esopo, who is known for his fables using animals to convey moral lessons, this title strongly suggests it falls within the fable genre.
- Children's Literature — The title mentions animals, which often are the main characters in children's stories, plus fables are a common part of children's literature used to teach moral lessons.
- Classic Literature — Esopo is a classic author well-known in the literary community, so intervening his works within the sphere of classic literature is common.
- Fiction — Fables involve anthropomorphized animals and are often imaginative and not tied to reality, falling under the grander umbrella of fiction.
Tags
fable · animals · morality · wisdom · deception · friendship · betrayal · cunning · survival · nature · allegory · lesson