The Thieves and the Cock
Story Summary
In "The Thieves and the Cock," a group of thieves steals a rooster but decides to kill it, only to have the rooster plead for its life by highlighting its role in waking people for work. The thieves reject his plea, illustrating a key lesson learned from stories: those with malicious intent despise anything that promotes virtue. This humorous story serves as one of the best moral tales, reminding us that the safeguards of virtue are often hated by those who wish to do wrong.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
Evil-doers despise those who uphold virtue, as they threaten their dishonest pursuits.
Historical Context
This fable reflects a moral lesson commonly found in Aesop's Fables, attributed to the ancient Greek storyteller Aesop, who lived around the 6th century BCE. The narrative, emphasizing the conflict between virtue and vice, has parallels in various cultures, illustrating how those who engage in wrongdoing often resent the forces that promote order and diligence. Its enduring themes have inspired numerous retellings across different literary traditions, reinforcing the idea that integrity can be a threat to those who pursue selfish ends.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the idea that those who engage in wrongdoing often seek to eliminate anything that might expose or disrupt their actions. In modern life, this can be seen in scenarios where individuals or organizations attempt to silence whistleblowers or critics who highlight unethical practices. For instance, a company might retaliate against an employee who reports safety violations, viewing their moral integrity as a threat to their ability to continue harmful or dishonest operations.
You May Also Like
The Widow and Her Little Maidens
In this humorous tale from folklore, a cleanliness-obsessed widow wakes her two maidens at dawn, driving them to conspire against the rooster that crows at daybreak. However, their plan backfires when the widow begins to rouse them in the middle of the night, leading to even more trouble. This short moral story highlights the unintended consequences of seeking a quick solution, reminding readers that sometimes our actions can lead to greater challenges.
The Dogs and the Hides
In "The Dogs and the Hides," a group of hungry dogs, frustrated by their inability to reach cowhides in a river, foolishly attempt to drink the river dry. Their overindulgence leads to their demise before they can even get to the hides, illustrating a simple lesson from stories about the dangers of attempting the impossible. This unique moral story serves as an inspirational short tale for children, emphasizing the importance of recognizing one's limits.
The Eligible Son-in-Law
In "The Eligible Son-in-Law," a pious banker is approached by a shabby man seeking a loan of one hundred thousand dollars, claiming he will soon marry the banker's daughter, presenting this as the best security. The banker, unable to see the flaw in this scheme of mutual benefit, agrees to the loan, illustrating the themes often found in short moral tales that emphasize the importance of discernment and the potential pitfalls of blind trust. This folklore-like story serves as a motivational tale for personal growth, reminding readers to critically assess promises that seem too good to be true.
Other names for this story
"The Cock's Plea, Thieves' Dilemma, The Rooster Rescue, The Stolen Alarm, Thieves vs. the Cock, The Cock That Cried, Night Watcher Thieves, The Cunning Rooster"
Did You Know?
This fable illustrates the theme that those who engage in wrongdoing often see the tools of virtue, such as vigilance and responsibility, as threats to their dishonest endeavors, highlighting the inherent conflict between good and evil in society.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.