Aesop

Visit our store to find more resources you can use for Narrative Play!

Retold by The Legendary Connection

TLC#00164

Once upon a time, a dog was given a nice piece of meat for his dinner. Some say he found it, while others say a kind butcher gave it to him. However it came to be, the dog was thrilled and held the meat tightly in his mouth, thinking of the delicious meal he’d soon have.

With the meat in his mouth, he trotted happily along the path toward home. He felt as proud as a king, imagining his tasty dinner.

On his way, the dog came to a small stream with a wooden bridge across it. As he walked over the bridge, he glanced down and saw his reflection in the clear, still water below. But the dog didn’t recognize himself; he thought he was looking at another dog, just as big as him, holding a piece of meat!

“Wow!” thought the dog. “That dog has meat, too! If I can grab it, I’ll have twice as much!”

So, without thinking, he snapped at the “other dog’s” meat, opening his mouth to catch it. But as soon as he did, his own piece of meat slipped out and fell into the water with a splash.

The dog watched sadly as his dinner sank to the bottom of the stream, lost forever. Only then did he realize that the other “dog” was just his reflection and that he had let go of a real treat to chase after an illusion.

With a sigh, the dog turned and headed home, hungrier than before. He had learned an important lesson: when we get too greedy, we can end up losing what we already have.

Original Source: Stickney, J. H. (Jenny H. ), and 621? BCE-565? BCE Aesop. “Æsop’s Fables: A Version for Young Readers.” Https://Www.gutenberg.org/Files/49010/49010-h/49010-H.htm, 21 May 2015, www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/49010/pg49010-images.html#Page_6. Accessed 26 July 2024.