# The Serpent and the Eagle explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> One good turn deserves another.

A kind action should be repaid with another kind action.

_The moral of the fable, emphasizing reciprocity._

## Links

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