# The Man and the Image explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A poor man prays daily to a wooden god for riches but remains poor. In frustration, he throws the image against the wall, breaking it open to reveal gold coins inside. He then mocks the god for rewarding him only when treated with violence.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The wooden image appears to be a powerless idol but actually contains hidden wealth, revealing that its true value is concealed.

### Human Nature and Vice

The man's greed and frustration lead him to violence, and his hypocrisy is exposed when he worships the god only for material gain.

## Character check-ins

### The Man

The poor man who prays to the wooden image and later destroys it in anger, finding gold inside.

## Key lines

> When I honoured you, you did me no good whatever: but no sooner do I treat you to insults and violence than you make a rich man of me!

You never helped me when I respected you, but now that I've smashed you, I finally get rich.

_The man's ironic realization that his devotion was futile, and his violence was unexpectedly rewarded._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-man-and-the-image
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters