← All chapters
Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Dog and the Cook explained
A dog invites a friend to his master's banquet, but the friend is thrown out by the cook before he can eat.
What happens
A dog invites a friend to his master's banquet, but the friend is thrown out by the cook before he can eat. To save face, the friend claims he drank too much and doesn't remember leaving.
Themes in this chapter
Cunning and Deception
The uninvited dog lies about his experience to hide his embarrassment.
Pride and Folly
The dog's foolish pride leads him to boast of a nonexistent feast.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“Be shy of favours bestowed at the expense of others.”
Be cautious of accepting kindness that comes at someone else's cost.
The moral warns against taking advantage of hospitality that may not be sincerely offered.