Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Ass and His Purchaser explained
A man buys an ass on trial and tests its character by observing which companion it chooses in the stable.
What happens
A man buys an ass on trial and tests its character by observing which companion it chooses in the stable. The ass selects the laziest and greediest beast, so the man returns it immediately, concluding that a creature is known by the company it keeps.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
The emotional and psychological peak occurs when the victor Cock, swollen with pride after his triumph, is sud…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Wisdom and Foolishness
The purchaser demonstrates wisdom by judging the ass's character through its choice of companion, avoiding a foolish purchase.
- Human Nature and Vice
The ass's instinct to gravitate toward laziness and greed highlights the vice of seeking comfort in bad company.
Characters to notice
- The Ass
The newly purchased ass reveals its lazy and greedy nature by choosing the worst companion in the stable.
- The Farmer
The purchaser who tests the ass by observing its choice of companion and returns it based on that judgment.
Key passages
“I could see what sort of beast he is from the companion he chose for himself.”
The man realized the ass's true nature simply by observing which other animal it preferred to be near.
This line conveys the core moral that one's character is reflected in the company one keeps.
