# The Bald Man and the Fly explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A fly bites a bald man's head, and in trying to kill it, the man slaps himself. The fly mocks him for the self-inflicted blow, but the man replies that he bears no grudge against himself, only against the fly, which he would gladly suffer more to destroy.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Vice

The man's disproportionate anger toward the fly versus his own self-inflicted harm illustrates human tendency to rationalize personal faults while condemning others.

## Character check-ins

### The Fly

Bites the bald man and mocks him after he slaps himself.

## Key lines

> You tried to kill me for just one little bite; what will you do to yourself now, for the heavy smack you have just given yourself?

You attempted to kill me over a single small bite; what punishment will you give yourself for the hard slap you just delivered?

_The fly's mocking question highlights the irony of the man's disproportionate reaction._

> Oh, for that blow I bear no grudge, for I never intended myself any harm; but as for you, you contemptible insect, who live by sucking human blood, I’d have borne a good deal more than that for the satisfaction of dashing the life out of you!

I don't resent that slap because I didn't mean to hurt myself; but you, a despicable blood-sucking insect, I would endure far more for the pleasure of killing you.

_The man's reply reveals his rationalization of self-harm and intense hatred for the fly._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-bald-man-and-the-fly
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters