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Aesop's Fables · Chapter

The Wolf and the Lamb explained

A Wolf encounters a stray Lamb and, seeking a pretext to justify killing it, accuses the Lamb of various offenses.

What happens

A Wolf encounters a stray Lamb and, seeking a pretext to justify killing it, accuses the Lamb of various offenses. The Lamb refutes each accusation with simple logic, but the Wolf ultimately abandons pretense and devours the Lamb anyway.

Themes in this chapter

  • Cunning and Deception

    The Wolf uses deceitful accusations to mask his predatory nature.

  • Justice and Consequence

    The Lamb's innocence is ignored, highlighting the failure of justice when power overrides truth.

Characters to notice

  • The Wolf

    The predator who invents false accusations to justify his violent intent.

  • The Lamb

    The innocent victim whose logical defenses cannot save him from the Wolf's determination.

Key passages

  • “A Wolf came upon a Lamb straying from the flock, and felt some compunction about taking the life of so helpless a creature without some plausible excuse”

    A Wolf found a Lamb that had wandered away from the herd and hesitated to kill such a defenseless animal without a good reason.

    Shows the Wolf's desire to appear justified even as he intends harm.

  • ““Well, anyhow,” said the Wolf, “I’m not going without my dinner”: and he sprang upon the Lamb and devoured it without more ado.”

    The Wolf finally admitted he would not forgo his meal and attacked the Lamb immediately.

    Reveals the Wolf's true nature: brute force over reason.

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