Library / Aesop’s Fables

The Boy Bathing

A fable attributed to Aesop

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The Boy Bathing

A boy bathing in a river found himself in grave danger of drowning. In a state of panic, he called out to a passing traveler for assistance. However, instead of offering a helping hand, the man stood by indifferently, scolding the boy for his recklessness.

"Oh, sir!" cried the youth, "please help me now and scold me afterwards."

This encounter illustrates a valuable lesson: counsel without help is utterly useless.

The moral
Help should be prioritized over criticism in times of crisis.

Discussion questions

  1. What could the traveler have done differently to help the boy?
  2. How does this story relate to real-life situations where people may hesitate to help others?
  3. Why is it important to prioritize help over criticism in urgent situations?

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Read it in another language

Good night.

Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane