Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Horse and the Ass explained
A proud Horse mocks an Ass burdened with a heavy load, but later falls from grace and is humiliated by the same Ass when he is reduced to menial labor.
What happens
A proud Horse mocks an Ass burdened with a heavy load, but later falls from grace and is humiliated by the same Ass when he is reduced to menial labor.
Themes in this chapter
Pride and Folly
The Horse's pride in his fine harness leads him to mock the Ass, but his fall from grace illustrates the folly of arrogance.
Justice and Consequence
The Ass's patient endurance is rewarded when the Horse's fortunes reverse, allowing the Ass to deliver a fitting rebuke.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“A Horse, proud of his fine harness, met an Ass on the high road. As the Ass with his heavy burden moved slowly out of the way to let him pass, the Horse cried out impatiently that he could hardly resist kicking him to make him move faster.”
A Horse, arrogant about his ornate gear, encountered an Ass on the road. When the Ass, carrying a heavy load, stepped aside, the Horse threatened to kick him for not moving quicker.
Highlights the Horse's initial pride and cruelty.
“Not long afterwards the Horse became broken-winded, and was sold by his owner to a farmer. One day, as he was drawing a dung-cart, he met the Ass again, who in turn derided him and said, 'Aha! you never thought to come to this, did you, you who were so proud! Where are all your gay trappings now?'”
Soon after, the Horse developed a respiratory ailment and was sold to a farmer. While pulling a manure cart, he met the Ass, who mocked him, asking where his fancy decorations were now.
Illustrates the reversal of fortune and the Ass's justified retort.