Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Bald Huntsman explained
A bald man wearing a wig goes hunting, but a gust of wind blows away both his hat and wig, amusing the other hunters.
What happens
A bald man wearing a wig goes hunting, but a gust of wind blows away both his hat and wig, amusing the other hunters. He laughs along, remarking that hair that didn't stick to its original owner's head is unlikely to stick to his.
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 huntsman's wise and humorous acceptance of his predicament contrasts with the folly of relying on a wig.
- Appearance vs. Reality
The wig represents a false appearance of hair, which is easily stripped away, revealing the bald truth.
Characters to notice
- The Old Man
The bald huntsman who loses his wig and responds with wit.
Key passages
“Ah, well! the hair that wig is made of didn’t stick to the head on which it grew; so it’s no wonder it won’t stick to mine.”
The hair in this wig didn't stay on its original owner's head, so it's not surprising it doesn't stay on mine.
The huntsman's witty reflection on the impermanence of borrowed appearances.
