Household Tales · Chapter
Old Sultan explained
A farmer plans to shoot his aged dog, Old Sultan, because he has lost his teeth and is no longer useful.
What happens
A farmer plans to shoot his aged dog, Old Sultan, because he has lost his teeth and is no longer useful. The dog, overhearing this, seeks help from his friend the wolf, who devises a plan to make the farmer grateful. The wolf pretends to steal the farmer's child, and Old Sultan rescues it, earning the farmer's gratitude and a comfortable life. Later, the wolf tries to persuade the dog to help him steal a sheep, but Old Sultan remains loyal to his master and warns the farmer, who beats the wolf. The wolf challenges the dog to a fight, but Old Sultan, aided only by a three-legged cat, frightens off the wolf and a boar through a misunderstanding, leading to a reconciliation.
Themes in this chapter
Virtue Rewarded and Vice Punished
Old Sultan's loyalty and faithfulness are rewarded with a comfortable life, while the wolf's treachery is punished with a beating and humiliation.
Promises and Their Consequences
The wolf's promise to help Old Sultan leads to a temporary benefit, but his later attempt to break trust results in conflict and a broken friendship.
Characters to notice
- Old Sultan
The faithful but aging dog who is saved from being shot by his master through a clever plan with the wolf, and later proves his loyalty by refusing to help the wolf steal sheep.
- the wolf
Old Sultan's friend who initially helps him but later tries to persuade him to betray his master, leading to a conflict and eventual reconciliation.
- the cat
A three-legged cat who stands by Old Sultan in the fight against the wolf and boar, inadvertently scaring them off.
- the boar
Sent by the wolf to challenge Old Sultan, but becomes frightened by the cat's appearance and runs away.
Key passages
“Tomorrow I intend to shoot Old Sultan, he is no longer of any use.”
The farmer decides to kill his old dog because he can no longer work.
This sets the central conflict of the story in motion.
“Not a hair of yours shall be hurt, you shall eat my bread free as long as you live.”
The farmer promises to care for Old Sultan for the rest of his life after the dog rescues his child.
This shows the farmer's gratitude and the reward for loyalty.