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

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Gardener's Dog falls into a deep well. When the Gardener descends to rescue him, the Dog bites his master, believing he intends to drown him. The Gardener abandons the Dog, concluding that it serves him right for trying to save a determined suicide.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Dog's foolish suspicion leads to his own demise, while the Gardener learns a lesson about misplaced effort.

### Justice and Consequence

The Dog's ungrateful action results in being left to die, illustrating a natural consequence of his behavior.

## Character check-ins

### The Dog

Falls into a well and bites his rescuer out of suspicion.

### The Farmer

The Gardener who attempts to rescue his Dog but is bitten and abandons him.

## Key lines

> It serves me quite right for trying to save so determined a suicide.

I deserve this for attempting to rescue someone so intent on self-destruction.

_The Gardener's concluding remark reflects on the futility of helping those who refuse to be helped._

## Links

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