Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Traveller and His Dog explained
A Traveller, eager to depart, chides his Dog for yawning and urges him to prepare for the journey.
What happens
A Traveller, eager to depart, chides his Dog for yawning and urges him to prepare for the journey. The Dog calmly responds that he is already ready and has been waiting for his master.
Themes in this chapter
Appearance vs. Reality
The Traveller's perception of the Dog's yawning as laziness contrasts with the reality that the Dog is actually ready.
Characters to notice
- The Dog
The Dog is calm and patient, indicating he is prepared while his master is not.
- The Traveller
The Traveller is impatient and mistakenly believes the Dog is delaying the journey.
Key passages
“Come, what are you yawning for? Hurry up and get ready: I mean you to go with me.”
The Traveller scolds his Dog for appearing lazy and tells him to prepare for the trip.
The Traveller misinterprets the Dog's behavior as a lack of readiness.
“I’m ready, master: it’s you I’m waiting for.”
The Dog calmly informs his master that he is already prepared and has been waiting.
The Dog's response reveals the Traveller's own delay, reversing the accusation.