Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Serpent and the Eagle explained
An Eagle captures a Serpent, but the Serpent coils around the Eagle in a struggle for life.
What happens
An Eagle captures a Serpent, but the Serpent coils around the Eagle in a struggle for life. A countryman helps free the Eagle, allowing it to escape. In revenge, the Serpent poisons the man's drinking horn. As the man is about to drink, the Eagle knocks the horn away, spilling the poison, thus repaying the man's kindness.
Themes in this chapter
Justice and Consequence
The Eagle's repayment of the countryman's kindness demonstrates a moral balance where good deeds are rewarded.
Perseverance and Effort
The countryman's intervention and the Eagle's later action show persistence in doing good despite the Serpent's revenge.
Characters to notice
- The Eagle
Seizes the Serpent but is entangled; freed by a countryman, later repays the favor by saving the man from poison.
- The Serpent
Captured by the Eagle but coils in self-defense; poisons the man's drinking horn in revenge.
- The Farmer
A countryman who witnesses the struggle and helps free the Eagle; nearly drinks poisoned water but is saved by the Eagle.
Key passages
“One good turn deserves another.”
A kind action should be repaid with another kind action.
The moral of the fable, emphasizing reciprocity.