MoralFables.com

The Bitch and Her Whelps

fable
1 min read
0 comments
The Bitch and Her Whelps
0:000:00

Story Summary

In the short story "The Bitch and Her Whelps," a dog seeks a shepherd's permission to give birth and raise her puppies in a safe spot. As the puppies grow and become protective, the Bitch claims exclusive ownership of the area, ultimately preventing the shepherd from coming near. This educational moral story teaches the importance of gratitude and the consequences of overstepping boundaries, making it a valuable lesson for personal growth.

Click to reveal the moral of the story

The moral of the story is that those who are given kindness and protection may sometimes turn against their benefactor and become ungrateful.

Historical Context

This fable, attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of entitlement and betrayal, illustrating how those once dependent can become possessive and ungrateful. The story highlights the moral lessons prevalent in ancient Greek culture, where animals often symbolize human traits and societal dynamics. Aesop's fables, passed down through oral tradition and later compiled in written form, serve as cautionary tales, emphasizing the complexities of relationships and power.

Our Editors Opinion

This fable illustrates the dangers of entitlement and the consequences of taking advantage of kindness, which are relevant in modern life when considering issues of trust and boundaries in relationships and workplaces. For example, an employee who is given flexibility in their work schedule may initially appreciate the trust but could later exploit that leniency by overstepping boundaries, leading to conflict and resentment from their employer.

You May Also Like

The Lion and the Fox

The Lion and the Fox

In "The Lion and the Fox," an engaging moral tale, a Fox partners with a Lion, helping him locate prey while the Lion captures it. Jealous of the Lion's share, the Fox decides to hunt independently but ultimately fails and becomes prey to hunters and their dogs. This short and sweet moral story reminds students that envy can lead to one's downfall.

jealousy
betrayal
Fox
Lion
King Log and King Stork

King Log and King Stork

In "King Log and King Stork," a culturally significant moral story, the people, dissatisfied with a Democratic Legislature that only stole a portion of their wealth, elect a Republican government that exploits them even further. This long story with moral lessons illustrates how the new regime not only takes everything they have but also demands a promissory note secured by their very hope of death, serving as a cautionary tale about the dangers of political change without true accountability. Through this entertaining moral story, the narrative reflects the grim reality that without vigilance, the quest for better governance can lead to even greater exploitation.

corruption
disillusionment
King Log
King Stork
The Crow and Mercury

The Crow and Mercury

In the fable "The Crow and Mercury," a crow, ensnared and desperate, prays to Apollo for rescue, promising to offer frankincense at his shrine, but forgets his vow once freed. Caught again, he makes a similar promise to Mercury, who scolds him for betraying Apollo and questioning his loyalty. This short story with moral illustrates the consequences of failing to honor one's commitments, a theme found in many well-known moral stories.

betrayal
accountability
Crow
Apollo

Other names for this story

"Whelping Rights, The Loyal Whelps, Shepherd's Dilemma, Bitch's Claim, Puppies and Protection, The Brave Whelps, A Mother's Guard, The Exclusive Den"

Did You Know?

This fable illustrates the theme of entitlement and the consequences of taking advantage of kindness; the once vulnerable Bitch, having relied on the shepherd's compassion, ultimately turns against him, highlighting how initial dependence can evolve into dominance and exclusion.

Subscribe to Daily Stories

Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.

Explore More Stories

Story Details

Age Group
adult
kids
children
story for class 2
story for class 3
story for class 4
story for class 5
Theme
betrayal
entitlement
protection
Characters
Bitch
Shepherd
Whelps
Setting
shepherd's field
whelping spot

Share this Story