# The Ass and the Old Peasant explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

An old Peasant spots armed men approaching and urges his Ass to flee with him to avoid capture. The Ass, however, is indifferent, reasoning that a new master would not make him carry heavier loads, so he sees no benefit in escaping.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Ass's narrow reasoning reveals a foolish complacency, mistaking unchanged burden for safety.

### Perseverance and Effort

The Ass's refusal to flee contrasts with the Peasant's effort to escape, highlighting a lack of perseverance.

## Character check-ins

### The Ass

Shows indifference to danger, valuing only the weight of his loads.

### The Farmer

The old Peasant who tries to flee with his Ass but is rebuffed.

## Key lines

> And if so, do you think they’ll make me carry heavier loads than I have to now?

The Ass asks whether a new master would force him to bear more weight than his current one.

_The Ass's core reasoning for not fleeing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-ass-and-the-old-peasant
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters