# Brother and Sister explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A brother and sister discover a mirror and see their own features for the first time. The handsome boy boasts, while the plain girl is upset. Their father advises them to use the mirror as a lesson: the boy should strive to be as good as he is handsome, and the girl should compensate for her plainness with a sweet disposition.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The mirror reveals physical appearance, but the father emphasizes inner qualities over outer looks.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The father's wise advice contrasts with the children's initial foolish reactions to their reflections.

## Character check-ins

### The Boy

The handsome brother who boasts about his looks after seeing himself in a mirror.

### The Old Man

The father who wisely counsels his children on how to interpret their reflections.

## Key lines

> My children, learn from now onwards to make a good use of the glass. You, my boy, strive to be as good as it shows you to be handsome; and you, my girl, resolve to make up for the plainness of your features by the sweetness of your disposition.

The father tells his children to use the mirror as a moral guide: the boy should match his inner goodness to his outer beauty, and the girl should compensate for her plain looks with a kind and gentle nature.

_The father's moral lesson on using self-reflection for self-improvement._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/brother-and-sister
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters