# The Stag at the Pool explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A thirsty Stag admires his antlers but despises his legs, only to be caught and killed by a Lion when his antlers become entangled in branches, realizing too late that his legs could have saved him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Appearance vs. Reality

The Stag values his antlers for their beauty, but they prove to be his ruin, while his slender legs, which he despises, are what truly could have saved him.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Stag's foolish pride in his antlers and disregard for his legs demonstrate a lack of wisdom in valuing the wrong things.

## Character check-ins

### The Stag

Admires his antlers but despises his legs, leading to his downfall.

### The Lion

Attacks the Stag and ultimately kills him when the Stag is trapped by his antlers.

## Key lines

> What is worth most is often valued least.

The things that are most valuable are frequently the ones we underestimate.

_The moral of the fable, emphasizing the theme of misplaced values._

> I despised my legs, which might have saved my life: but I gloried in my horns, and they have proved my ruin.

I scorned my legs, which could have helped me escape, but I took pride in my antlers, and they caused my death.

_The Stag's final realization of his error in judgment._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-stag-at-the-pool
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters