Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Cock and the Jewel explained
A Cock, while scratching for food, discovers a Jewel but dismisses its value, preferring a single grain of corn over all the jewels in the world.
What happens
A Cock, while scratching for food, discovers a Jewel but dismisses its value, preferring a single grain of corn over all the jewels in the world.
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 Cock's preference for corn over a jewel highlights a contrast between practical wisdom and perceived foolishness.
Characters to notice
- The Cock
The Cock values practical sustenance over precious gems.
Key passages
“Ho! said he, a fine thing you are, no doubt, and, had your owner found you, great would his joy have been. But for me! give me a single grain of corn before all the jewels in the world.”
The Cock acknowledges the jewel's value to its owner but states that he would rather have a single grain of corn than all the jewels in existence.
The Cock's declaration underscores the theme of valuing what is immediately useful over what is conventionally precious.
