Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Woman and the Farmer explained
A widow mourning at her husband's grave is approached by a farmer who feigns grief over his own supposed loss to win her hand.
What happens
A widow mourning at her husband's grave is approached by a farmer who feigns grief over his own supposed loss to win her hand. They agree to marry, but when the farmer discovers his oxen have been stolen, he genuinely weeps—prompting the woman to question his tears.
Themes in this chapter
Cunning and Deception
The farmer deceives the widow by pretending to mourn his wife in order to win her trust and hand in marriage.
Appearance vs. Reality
The farmer's initial tears are false, while his later weeping over the stolen oxen is genuine, highlighting the disparity between outward show and true feeling.
Characters to notice
- The Farmer
Pretends to grieve his wife to woo the widow, but later weeps sincerely over his stolen oxen.
- The Thief
Steals the farmer's oxen while he is away courting the widow.
Key passages
“A Woman, who had lately lost her husband, used to go every day to his grave and lament her loss.”
A recently widowed woman visited her husband's grave daily to mourn.
Sets the scene of the widow's persistent grief.
“A Farmer, who was engaged in ploughing not far from the spot, set eyes upon the Woman and desired to have her for his wife: so he left his plough and came and sat by her side, and began to shed tears himself.”
A farmer working nearby noticed the widow, wanted to marry her, and pretended to cry as he sat beside her.
Reveals the farmer's deceptive intent from the start.
“On discovering the theft, he beat his breast and loudly bewailed his loss. When the Woman heard his cries, she came and said, “Why, are you weeping still?” To which he replied, “Yes, and I mean it this time.””
When the farmer found his oxen stolen, he wailed in genuine distress. The widow asked why he was still crying, and he admitted his tears were now real.
The punchline underscores the difference between pretended and authentic emotion.