Library / Aesop’s Fables

The Dog and the Oyster

A fable attributed to Aesop

Save
The Dog and the Oyster

A dog, accustomed to eating eggs, came across an oyster. Mistaking it for an egg, he opened his mouth as wide as he could and swallowed it down with great relish.

However, not long after, he began to experience intense pain in his stomach. In his agony, he lamented, "I deserve all this torment for my foolishness in thinking that everything round must be an egg."

This tale serves as a cautionary reminder that those who act without sufficient thought often find themselves in unexpected danger.

The moral
Acting without sufficient thought can lead to unexpected consequences and danger.

Discussion questions

  1. What could the dog have done differently to avoid his mistake?
  2. How does this story relate to real-life situations where we might act without thinking?
  3. Can you think of a time when you made an assumption that led to a negative outcome?

Advertisement

Read it in another language

Good night.

Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane