The Oil-Merchant's Ass
A satirical narrative poem relates the misadventures of a working beast tasked with daily transport of a large container of oil. On one occasion, while returning to its stable, the creature, weighed down and hindered by its burdens, stumbles and collides with a projecting door clamp. This unfortunate accident, caused in part by the absence of adequate lighting within the stable, becomes emblematic of a broader human failing. The text draws a parallel between the beast’s mishap and the folly of those who acquire literary works without engaging with their content. By highlighting the creature’s lament—its inability to navigate its own space due to a simple but crucial oversight—the work criticizes the superficial accumulation of books, suggesting that true wisdom and understanding are derived not from mere possession, but from the thoughtful and active process of reading. Through a blend of humorous verse and incisive commentary, the narrative unfolds as a moral lesson. It warns against the vanity of boasting about one’s library without having imparted its knowledge through diligent reading. The portrayal of the beast’s struggle serves as a metaphor for the intellectual stagnation that results when individuals neglect the necessity of actually studying and internalizing what they own. The allegory ultimately underscores the importance of practicality and attentiveness in the pursuit of knowledge. It calls on readers to reflect on their own habits, advocating for a genuine engagement with literature rather than a complacent exhibition of their collections.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Fable, Satire, Didactic · 205 words
First lines
Once on a time, an Ass, -- An Oilman's hack, -- Bearing upon his back A huge skin filled with oil, With foot o'er-worn by toil, Into his stable sought to pass; But, stumbling, struck his nose The cruellest of blows Upon the door's projecting clamp.
"Now, is it not a shame," -- Poor Donkey did exclaim, -- "That I, who every day Carry tuns of oil, my way Into my own stable cannot find, More than if I were stone-blind, For want of one poor lamp?"
Much I fear, that those who glory In buying books they never read, Fare as ill, -- And deserve no more; -- but, if they will Grow wiser, let them heed this story.
What this Textopian page supports
The Oil-Merchant's Ass is listed on Textopian as a fable by Tomás de Iriarte, 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: Tomás de Iriarte
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Satire, Didactic, Humorous Poetry, Allegory
- Length: 205 words
- Structure: 1 section, 3 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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Similar titles
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Genres
- Fable — The work employs anthropomorphic characters and a concise narrative to convey a moral lesson, aligning with the traditional characteristics of a fable.
- Satire — The poem uses humor and irony to critique human follies, particularly the imprudent habits of those who neglect genuine wisdom.
- Didactic — The narrative's intent to impart a moral lesson and encourage wiser behavior categorizes it as didactic literature.
- Humorous Poetry — The playful language, rhythmic structure, and amusing premises contribute to its classification as humorous poetry.
Tags
fable · satire · allegory · moral · animal narrative · humor · didactic · parable · enlightenment · social commentary · irony · burlesque