Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Farmer and the Fox explained
A farmer, seeking revenge on a fox that steals his fowls, catches it and sets its tail on fire.
What happens
A farmer, seeking revenge on a fox that steals his fowls, catches it and sets its tail on fire. The fox runs into the farmer's ripe cornfield, burning the entire harvest and teaching that revenge can backfire.
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
- Justice and Consequence
The farmer's attempt at personal justice leads to his own ruin, showing that revenge often brings unforeseen consequences.
- Wisdom and Foolishness
The farmer's foolish act of revenge destroys his livelihood, highlighting the lack of wisdom in acting out of anger.
Characters to notice
- The Farmer
Sets a trap for the fox and exacts a cruel revenge that ultimately destroys his own harvest.
- The Fox
Caught by the farmer, has its tail set on fire, and inadvertently burns the farmer's cornfield.
Key passages
“Revenge is a two-edged sword.”
Seeking revenge can harm the one who seeks it as much as the one it is aimed at.
The moral of the fable, emphasizing the double danger of vengeance.
