The Cat and the Cock
Story Summary
In "The Cat and the Cock," a Cat captures a Cock and seeks a justification for eating him, accusing the Cock of disturbing men with his nighttime crowing. Despite the Cock's defense that his crowing helps men wake for their labors, the Cat dismisses his pleas, illustrating a big moral story about the disregard of reason in the face of predation. This short story with moral highlights the consequences of selfishness and the importance of understanding intentions in life-changing stories.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that clever excuses cannot save one from the predatory intentions of the powerful.
Historical Context
This fable, likely attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of power dynamics and deception found in many ancient tales. Originating from a tradition of oral storytelling in ancient Greece, it has been retold across cultures, emphasizing moral lessons about the cunning of the strong over the weak. This particular fable illustrates the idea that those in power may manipulate reasoning to justify their actions, a common motif in folklore that serves to critique social hierarchies and the nature of justice.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights how the powerful often manipulate situations to justify their actions, a lesson relevant in today's world where those in authority may twist narratives to serve their interests. For instance, in the workplace, a manager might unfairly criticize an employee's performance to rationalize a layoff, despite the employee's hard work and contributions, reminding us to be aware of the motives behind criticisms and to stand up for ourselves justly.
You May Also Like
The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass
In "The Lion, the Cock, and the Ass," a Lion is startled away from attacking an Ass by the proud crowing of a Cock, who claims his voice instills fear in the mighty beast. The Ass, however, humorously questions the Lion's peculiar fear of the Cock while disregarding the braying of the Ass, highlighting the thought-provoking moral that true strength lies not in appearances but in the wisdom to discern simple lessons from stories. This timeless tale serves as one of many moral stories for kids, encouraging them to reflect on the nature of fear and bravado.
The Cock and the Jewel
In "The Cock and the Jewel," a cock, while searching for food, stumbles upon a precious jewel but declares it worthless compared to a simple grain of barley. This engaging moral tale emphasizes that practical needs surpass material wealth, illustrating a key lesson found in many creative moral stories. Through this animal story with moral, readers are reminded that true value lies in fulfilling basic necessities rather than chasing after superficial riches.
The Cat and the Mice
In this simple moral story, a Cat enters a house overrun by Mice and captures them one by one, prompting the remaining Mice to stay hidden. To lure them out, she pretends to be dead, but one clever Mouse warns that those who have been deceived will always remain cautious. This famous moral story teaches a valuable life lesson about the importance of vigilance after being tricked.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
Feline Feast, The Cock's Defense, Nighttime Nuisance, The Cat's Dilemma, Rooster Ruckus, Suppertime Showdown, Claw and Cluck, The Purrfect Excuse
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of deceit and survival, illustrating how those in power often manipulate the truth to justify their actions, regardless of the moral implications. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being at the mercy of a predator who twists reason to suit their own desires.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.