What does the dog symbolize in this fable?

The dog symbolizes human greed and the tendency to value what others have more than what we possess. He represents the folly of risking security for an imaginary gain.

Why is this story sometimes called The Dog and the Shadow?

In older English translations, the word 'shadow' was often used to mean 'reflection.' The title emphasizes that the dog was chasing something that wasn't actually there.

Library / Moral Fables

The Dog and His Reflection

Moral Fables

Save

A Dog once found a large, succulent piece of meat and carried it proudly in his mouth toward home. On his way, he had to cross a narrow bridge over a clear, running stream. As he walked across, he looked down and saw his own reflection in the water below. Thinking it was another dog carrying a much larger piece of meat than his own, he grew greedy. Without a second thought, he snapped his jaws at the reflection to snatch the bigger prize. But as he opened his mouth, his own piece of meat fell out, splashed into the river, and sank to the bottom. The Dog was left with nothing, having lost his real treasure in pursuit of a shadow.

The moral

It is very foolish to be greedy; those who grasp at shadows often lose the substance of what they already possess.

Questions about this story

What is the moral of The Dog and His Reflection?

The moral is that greed can lead to the loss of everything you already have. It teaches us to be content with our current possessions instead of chasing illusions or envy.

Who wrote The Dog and His Reflection?

This story is attributed to Aesop, a legendary Greek storyteller who lived in the 6th century BCE. His fables were passed down orally for generations before being recorded.

What happens to the meat at the end of the story?

When the dog tries to steal the meat from his reflection, he opens his mouth and drops his actual piece of meat. It falls into the deep water and is lost forever.

Is the dog in the water another character?

No, the dog in the water is merely a reflection of the first dog. The dog's greed blinds him to the fact that he is looking at his own image in the stream.

Read it in another language

Teach next

The Peacock and JunoGreed

The Frogs Who Desired a KingGreed

The Goose That Laid the Golden EggsGreed