aesopica.
ENFRESDEITPT
FableNº 33

The Fox and the Serpent

A fox caught sight of a serpent asleep and, envying its length, wanted to match it. So she lay down beside it and tried to stretch herself out, until, straining too hard, the foolish creature burst.

Such is the fate of those who compete with the stronger: they destroy themselves before they can ever match them.
Moral

Similar fables

  1. Illustration for Aesop’s fable “The Monkey and the Camel”Nº 306The Monkey and the CamelAt an assembly of the beasts a monkey stood up and danced. He was much appreciated and applauded by all present. An envious camel wanted to win the…Read the fable →
  2. Illustration for Aesop’s fable “The Fox and the Monkey Elected King”Nº 38The Fox and the Monkey Elected KingThe monkey, having danced at an assembly of the beasts and won their favour, was elected king by them. The fox was jealous, and, on seeing a piece of…Read the fable →
  3. Illustration for Aesop’s fable “The Crab and the Fox”Nº 150The Crab and the FoxA crab came up from the sea onto the shore and was foraging alone. A hungry fox spotted it; and as he had nothing to put between his teeth, he ran at…Read the fable →
The newsletter

One fable, every Sunday, in your inbox.