Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Farmer and His Sons explained
A dying farmer tells his sons that a treasure is buried in his vineyard.
What happens
A dying farmer tells his sons that a treasure is buried in his vineyard. After his death, they dig thoroughly but find no treasure; however, the well-turned soil yields an abundant grape harvest, teaching that hard work itself is the true reward.
Themes in this chapter
Perseverance and Effort
The sons' diligent digging, though initially fruitless, ultimately produces a bountiful harvest, illustrating the value of hard work.
Cunning and Deception
The farmer uses a ruse about hidden treasure to motivate his sons to work the vineyard, a clever deception that yields positive results.
Characters to notice
- The Farmer
The dying father who imparts a final lesson about hidden treasure.
Key passages
“My sons, I am shortly about to die; I would have you know, therefore, that in my vineyard there lies a hidden treasure. Dig, and you will find it.”
The farmer tells his sons that a treasure is buried in the vineyard and urges them to dig for it.
The central ruse that drives the sons' labor.
“They found none, however: but the vines, after so thorough a digging, produced a crop such as had never before been seen.”
Though no treasure was found, the vineyard's soil was so well tilled that it yielded an unprecedented harvest.
The ironic outcome where hard work itself becomes the treasure.