The Fox and the Grapes
A fox sees some grapes hanging from a vine and wants to eat them but cannot reach them. The fox decides that the grapes are probably sour anyway and walks away. This story illustrates the concept of sour grapes, where someone devalues something they cannot have.
By Leo Tolstoy · First published 1812 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature · 47 words
First lines
A Fox saw some ripe bunches of grapes hanging high, and tried to get at them, in order to eat them.
She tried hard, but could not get them. To drown her annoyance she said:
"They are still sour. "
What this Textopian page supports
The Fox and the Grapes is listed on Textopian as a fable by Leo Tolstoy, dated 1812 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
- Date: 1812 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Children's Literature, Satire, Short Story
- Length: 47 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Fox and the Grapes by Leo Tolstoy
- 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 Fox and the Grapes?
- How does this fable by Leo Tolstoy fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
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- The Story Teller by Hector Hugh Munro
- The Portuguese Duck by Hans Christian Andersen
- A Fable by Mark Twain
- The Monkey by Leo Tolstoy
- The Lion And The Fox by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The narrative features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
- Allegory — The story symbolizes human behavior and attitudes, particularly regarding desire and rationalization.
- Children's Literature — The simple plot and moral make it suitable for a young audience, typical of children's stories.
- Satire — The story critiques human nature and the tendency to dismiss unattainable desires.
Tags
Fable · Satire · Literary Fiction · Philosophical · Psychological Insight · Morality Tale · Aesopian Fable · Bitterness · Disillusionment · Envy · Resentment · Cynicism