Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Wolf and the Sheep explained
A wolf, injured by dogs and feigning helplessness, asks a passing sheep for water, claiming he can manage meat if only he had a drink.
What happens
A wolf, injured by dogs and feigning helplessness, asks a passing sheep for water, claiming he can manage meat if only he had a drink. The sheep, however, sees through the wolf's ruse and refuses, recognizing that providing water would only enable the wolf to eat him.
Themes in this chapter
Cunning and Deception
The wolf attempts to deceive the sheep with a false plea for water, masking his predatory intent.
Wisdom and Foolishness
The sheep demonstrates wisdom by recognizing the wolf's trick and avoiding a fatal mistake.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“I can manage about meat, if only I could get something to drink.”
The wolf claims that water is all he needs, implying he can handle food on his own.
The wolf's deceptive statement is meant to downplay his danger and lure the sheep closer.
“I can quite understand that if I brought you the water, you would have no difficulty about the meat.”
The sheep realizes that giving the wolf water would lead to him being eaten.
The sheep's clever retort exposes the wolf's hidden intention.