# The Viper and the File explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Viper enters a carpenter's shop and begs for food from the tools, but the File rebukes him, explaining that it takes from everyone and gives nothing in return, illustrating that the covetous are poor givers.

## Themes in this chapter

### Human Nature and Vice

The fable highlights the vice of covetousness, showing how those who are greedy are unable to give.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Viper's foolishness is exposed when it expects generosity from a tool that only takes, illustrating a lack of wisdom.

## Character check-ins

### The Viper

The Viper enters the carpenter's shop and begs for food from the tools, naively expecting charity from the File.

### The File

The File speaks with pitying contempt, declaring that it takes from everyone and never gives anything in return.

## Key lines

> The File replied in a tone of pitying contempt, "What a simpleton you must be if you imagine you will get anything from me, who invariably take from everyone and never give anything in return."

The File answered with scorn, calling the Viper a fool for expecting to receive anything from something that always takes and never gives.

_This paraphrase captures the File's rebuke and the moral lesson about the nature of the covetous._

## Links

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