# The Blacksmith and His Dog explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Blacksmith criticizes his dog for sleeping during work but waking up eagerly at mealtime, concluding that those who refuse to work do not deserve to eat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Perseverance and Effort

The fable underscores the value of hard work and the consequences of laziness.

### Justice and Consequence

The dog's lack of effort leads to the just outcome of being denied food.

## Character check-ins

### The Dog

The Blacksmith's lazy dog that sleeps during work but wakes up for meals.

### The Blacksmith

The master who scolds his dog for its laziness and lack of contribution.

## Key lines

> When I am hammering away at my anvil, you just curl up and go to sleep: but no sooner do I stop for a mouthful of food than you wake up and wag your tail to be fed.

While I work hard, you sleep; but the moment I pause to eat, you beg for food.

_The Blacksmith contrasts his own labor with the dog's opportunistic behavior._

> Those who will not work deserve to starve.

People who refuse to work should not expect to be fed.

_The moral of the fable, emphasizing the necessity of effort for reward._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-blacksmith-and-his-dog
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters