The Fox the Cock and the Dog
Story Summary
In "The Fox the Cock and the Dog," a clever Fox tries to deceive a Cock with the news of a universal truce, claiming that all beasts will coexist peacefully. However, when the Cock mentions the approaching Dog, the Fox quickly retreats, illustrating how cunning can backfire. This classic fable, part of impactful moral stories, teaches that those who attempt to trick others may end up ensnared by their own deceit.
One moonlit night, a fox was prowling around a farmer's hen-coop when he spotted a cock roosting high up, just beyond his reach.
"Good news, good news!" cried the fox.
"What is that?" asked the cock, intrigued.
"King Lion has declared a universal truce. No beast may harm a bird henceforth, and all shall dwell together in brotherly friendship."
"Why, that is good news!" said the cock. "And look, I see someone coming whom we can share this good tidings with."
As he spoke, he craned his neck forward to look into the distance.
"What is it you see?" asked the fox, growing curious.
"It is only my master's dog that is coming toward us. What, are you leaving so soon?" the cock continued, noticing the fox's intention to retreat after hearing the news. "Will you not stop and congratulate the dog on the reign of universal peace?"
"I would gladly do so," replied the fox, "but I fear he may not have heard of King Lion's decree."
In this encounter, the cunning fox learned that sometimes, his own cleverness could lead to his downfall.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Cunning and deceit can lead to one's own downfall.
Historical Context
This story is a fable attributed to Aesop, a Greek storyteller from the 6th century BCE, known for teaching moral lessons through animal characters. Aesop's fables have been retold across cultures, emphasizing themes of wit, cunning, and the consequences of deceit. The tale illustrates the idea that cleverness can backfire, a common motif in many of Aesop's narratives, reflecting societal values around honesty and wisdom.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights the importance of discernment and the potential consequences of deceit in modern life, where manipulation and false narratives can be prevalent. For instance, in a workplace scenario, an employee might spread rumors of a forthcoming promotion to manipulate a colleague, only to be outsmarted when that colleague alerts management about the deception, ultimately leading to the manipulator’s own downfall.
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Other names for this story
Fox and the Cock, The Clever Cock's Tale, A Night of Deceit, The Fox's Folly, The Cock's Cleverness, The Fox and the Dog's Dilemma, Peace Among Beasts, The Tricky Fox's Escape
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme that deceit and cunning can backfire, as the Fox's attempt to trick the Cock is foiled by the Cock's cleverness in introducing a potential threat, highlighting the importance of wit in overcoming danger.
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