# The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Wolf disguises himself in a sheepskin to prey on a flock undetected, but is mistakenly killed by the shepherd who mistakes him for a sheep.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Deception

The Wolf's disguise is a deliberate act of deception to gain advantage.

### Justice and Consequence

The Wolf's deceit leads directly to his own unintended death, illustrating poetic justice.

## Character check-ins

### The Wolf

Disguises himself in a sheepskin to deceive the shepherd and prey on the flock.

### The Shepherd

Unwittingly pens the disguised wolf and later kills him, mistaking him for a sheep.

## Key lines

> A Wolf resolved to disguise himself in order that he might prey upon a flock of sheep without fear of detection.

A Wolf decided to wear a disguise so he could attack the sheep without being caught.

_Sets up the Wolf's cunning plan._

> He completely deceived the shepherd, and when the flock was penned for the night he was shut in with the rest.

The shepherd was fully fooled, and the Wolf was locked in the pen with the sheep for the night.

_Highlights the success of the deception._

> But that very night as it happened, the shepherd, requiring a supply of mutton for the table, laid hands on the Wolf in mistake for a Sheep, and killed him with his knife on the spot.

That same night, the shepherd needed mutton for dinner and grabbed the Wolf by mistake, killing him instantly.

_The ironic twist where the deceiver becomes the victim._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-wolf-in-sheep-s-clothing
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters