The Ass and His Shadow
Story Summary
In the simple short story "The Ass and His Shadow," a traveler hires an ass for transportation and seeks refuge from the intense heat under its shadow. A dispute ensues between the traveler and the ass's owner over who has the right to the shadow, escalating to a physical fight, during which the ass gallops away. This famous fable with moral illustrates that in quarreling over trivial matters, we often lose what is truly important, making it one of the best moral stories suitable for short bedtime stories with moral lessons.
A traveler hired an ass to carry him to a distant place. The day was intensely hot, and the sun was shining in all its strength. Seeking relief from the scorching heat, the traveler decided to stop and rest, seeking shelter under the shadow of the ass. However, the shadow offered protection for only one, leading to a heated dispute between the traveler and the ass's owner over who had the right to the shadow.
The owner insisted that he had only rented out the ass, not its shadow. The traveler countered, claiming that by hiring the ass, he had also hired its shadow. The argument escalated from words to blows, and in the midst of their quarrel, the ass galloped away, leaving both men empty-handed.
This story serves as a reminder that in quarreling over trivial matters, we often lose what is truly valuable.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
In our disputes over minor matters, we may overlook and lose what truly matters.
Historical Context
This fable, attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of human folly and the often trivial nature of disputes, showcasing the idea that focusing on minor grievances can lead to the loss of more significant benefits. Aesop's fables, originating in ancient Greece, have been retold across cultures, emphasizing moral lessons through simple narratives involving animals and humans. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of squabbling over inconsequential matters, a theme that resonates through various retellings in literature and folklore.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable serves as a reminder in modern life that focusing too much on trivial disputes can lead us to lose sight of what truly matters. For example, two colleagues might get embroiled in a heated argument over credit for a project, wasting time and energy—only to miss the deadline and jeopardize their team's success.
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Other names for this story
"Dispute Over Shade, The Shadow Dispute, The Ass and His Shade, Quarreling for Shade, The Lost Shadow, Shade of the Ass, The Shadow Dilemma, The Tale of the Disputed Shadow"
Did You Know?
This story illustrates the folly of focusing on trivial disputes at the expense of what truly matters, highlighting how human conflicts can lead to losing valuable opportunities or resources, much like the traveler and the owner losing the ass itself while arguing over its shadow.
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