# The Cat and the Birds explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Cat disguises himself as a doctor to gain entry to an aviary of ailing Birds, but the Birds see through his disguise and refuse to let him in, illustrating that a villain may disguise himself but cannot deceive the wise.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Deception

The Cat uses a disguise to try to deceive the Birds.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Birds demonstrate wisdom by recognizing the Cat's true nature.

## Character check-ins

### The Cat

Disguises himself as a doctor to trick the Birds.

### The Birds

Ailing but wise enough to see through the Cat's disguise.

## Key lines

> A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise.

Even if someone evil puts on a false appearance, those who are clever will not be fooled.

_The moral of the fable._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-cat-and-the-birds
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters