Story Summary
Discover the timeless tale of The Dog in the Manger. This Aesop's Fable explores the nature of selfishness when a dog prevents a hungry ox from eating hay.
On a warm afternoon, a weary ox returned from a long day of plowing the fields, looking forward to a well-earned meal. He approached his manger, which had been filled with fresh, sweet hay. However, he found a dog lying nappily right in the middle of the fodder. When the ox reached out to take a mouthful, the dog jumped up, snarling and snapping at the ox's nose as if the hay were his own treasure. 'Why do you act so?' asked the ox. 'You cannot eat the hay yourself, for it is not food for dogs, yet you will not let me enjoy it either.' The dog only growled in response, preferring to be spiteful rather than see the ox satisfied.
The Moral
Do not grudge others what you cannot enjoy yourself.
“Ah, people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves.”
Fun Fact
This fable was so popular in the 14th century that it was used as a metaphor in the religious text 'The Cloud of Unknowing' to describe those who block spiritual progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Dog in the Manger?
The moral is that it is wrong to prevent others from enjoying something that you have no use for yourself. It highlights the ugliness of spite and unnecessary selfishness.
What does the idiom 'dog in the manger' mean?
The idiom refers to a person who has no need for a resource but prevents others from using or enjoying it. It is often used in political or social contexts to describe obstructive behavior.
Who wrote The Dog in the Manger?
The story is attributed to Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller, though it does not appear in the earliest Greek manuscripts. It became widely popular in later collections of his fables.
Why won't the dog let the ox eat the hay?
The dog is acting out of pure spite and a sense of territorialism. Even though the hay is useless as food for the dog, he refuses to give up his comfortable spot or let the ox benefit.
What is the origin of this fable?
While associated with Aesop, the earliest recorded versions appear in the 1st century AD. It was later used by Lucian and became a staple of Western moral education during the Renaissance.
Is the dog in the manger a real behavior in animals?
In reality, dogs may guard territory or resources (resource guarding), but the fable uses this behavior as a metaphor for human psychological pettiness rather than biological fact.
