# The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Miller and his son try to please everyone they meet while taking their donkey to market, but their constant changes lead to the donkey's death and they end up pleasing no one.

## Themes in this chapter

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Miller's lack of independent judgment and constant yielding to others' advice leads to disaster.

### Human Nature and Vice

The story highlights the human tendency to seek approval from all, resulting in failure and loss.

## Character check-ins

### The Miller

The father who tries to accommodate every piece of advice from strangers, ultimately losing his ass.

### The Ass

The donkey being taken to market, who is subjected to various treatments and eventually drowns.

### The Boy

The Miller's young son, who is alternately made to ride or walk based on others' opinions.

## Key lines

> in trying to please all he had pleased none, and had lost his Ass into the bargain.

By attempting to satisfy everyone, he ended up satisfying no one and lost his donkey as well.

_The moral of the fable, emphasizing the futility of people-pleasing._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-miller-his-son-and-their-ass
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters