# The Mischievous Dog explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A dog that bites without provocation is given a bell by his master as a warning to others. The dog mistakes the bell for a mark of honor, but an older dog corrects him, explaining it is a badge of disgrace. The fable warns against confusing notoriety with fame.

## Themes in this chapter

### Pride and Folly

The dog's pride in the bell reflects his folly in misinterpreting its purpose.

### Appearance vs. Reality

The bell appears to be a mark of honor but is actually a sign of disgrace.

## Character check-ins

### The Dog

The mischievous dog who bites people and is proud of the bell he wears.

### The Old Man

An older dog who rebukes the younger dog for mistaking the bell as a reward.

## Key lines

> The fewer airs you give yourself the better, my friend. You don’t think, do you, that your bell was given you as a reward of merit? On the contrary, it is a badge of disgrace.

You should not be so conceited. That bell is not a prize; it is a mark of shame.

_The older dog's correction highlights the theme of appearance vs. reality._

## Links

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