Name: ________________________
Understanding Theme with Fables Review
In Aesop’s fables, the moral of the story (theme) is written in the last line.  In the following fables, the last line or theme has been removed.  I have also made some slight changes to the originals.  

Directions: Determine the moral or theme of these fables and explain your interpretations.  

1.  The Crow and the Pitcher
A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to findwater, flew to it with delight.  When he reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it.  He tried everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain.  At last he collected as many stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water within his reach and thus saved his life.  

What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________

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2.  The Hare With Many Friends

A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends.  But one day she heard the hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends.  So, she went to the horse, and asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back.  But he declined, stating that he had important work to do for his master.  “He felt sure,” he said, “that all her other friends would come to her assistance.”  She then applied to the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns.  The bull replied: “I am very sorry, but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want.”  The goat, however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it.  The ram, he felt sure, was the proper friend to apply to.  So she went to the ram and told him the case.  The ram replied: “Another time, my dear friend.  I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well as hares.”  The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task.  By this time the hounds had caught the Hare, and tore him to shreds.  

What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________

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3.    The Mule in the Lion’s Skin
An Mule once found a Lion’s skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry.  He put it on and went towards his native village.  All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Mule that day.  In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgelling for the fright he had caused.  And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: “Ah, I knew you by your voice.”

What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________

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4.  The Fox and the Goat 

A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape.  A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good.  Concealing his sad plight under a merry guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging him to descend.  The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape.  “If,” said he, “you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will help you out afterwards.”  The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back.  Steadying himself with the Goat’s horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could.  When the Goat upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, “You foolish old fellow! If you had as many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.”  

What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________

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5.  The Oxen and the Axle-Trees 

A HEAVY WAGON was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen.  The Axle-trees groaned and creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels:  “Hullo there! why do you make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out.”  

What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________

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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________

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