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Aesop's Fables · Chapter

The Goat and the Vine explained

A Goat grazes on the tender shoots of a Vine in a vineyard.

What happens

A Goat grazes on the tender shoots of a Vine in a vineyard. The Vine reproaches the Goat for harming it despite the abundance of grass, and warns that even if stripped bare, it will produce wine to be poured over the Goat when it is sacrificed.

Themes in this chapter

  • Justice and Consequence

    The Vine's prophecy that it will produce wine for the Goat's sacrifice illustrates the theme of retribution and the inevitable consequences of one's actions.

Characters to notice

  • The Goat

    The Goat strays into the vineyard and eats the Vine's shoots, prompting the Vine's rebuke.

  • The Vine

    The Vine speaks to the Goat, pointing out the harm done and prophesying its own role in the Goat's eventual sacrifice.

Key passages

  • “What have I done to you, that you should harm me thus? Isn’t there grass enough for you to feed on?”

    The Vine asks the Goat why it is being harmed when there is plenty of grass elsewhere.

    The Vine questions the Goat's motives, highlighting the unnecessary nature of the harm.

  • “All the same, even if you eat up every leaf I have, and leave me quite bare, I shall produce wine enough to pour over you when you are led to the altar to be sacrificed.”

    The Vine declares that despite being stripped, it will still yield wine that will be used in the Goat's sacrifice.

    The Vine's response underscores the theme of eventual justice and the cyclical nature of harm.

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