Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Blind Man and the Cub explained
A blind man with a keen sense of touch is given a wolf cub to identify.
What happens
A blind man with a keen sense of touch is given a wolf cub to identify. Though he cannot determine whether it is a wolf or a fox cub, he knows it should not be trusted near a sheepfold, illustrating that evil tendencies are evident early.
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 Exposition.
- 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
- Human Nature and Vice
The fable illustrates that evil tendencies are apparent from a young age, emphasizing inherent vice.
- Appearance vs. Reality
The blind man cannot tell if the cub is a wolf or fox, yet its dangerous nature is clear regardless of appearance.
Characters to notice
- The Blind Man
Uses his fine sense of touch to identify animals, but cannot distinguish between a wolf cub and a fox cub.
- The Wolf
The cub placed in the blind man's hands is a wolf cub, though its identity is uncertain.
Key passages
“Evil tendencies are early shown.”
Bad inclinations reveal themselves from a young age.
The moral of the fable, emphasizing that harmful traits are evident early on.
