Library / Fantastic Fables

The Ineffective Rooter

A fable by Ambrose Bierce

Satire for older readers

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The Ineffective Rooter

A drunken man was lying in the road with a bleeding nose, having fallen after a night of heavy drinking. As he lay there, a pig happened to pass by.

"You wallow quite well," said the pig, observing the man's disheveled state. "But, my fine fellow, you have much to learn about rooting."

The pig's words, a blend of mockery and wisdom, echoed the lesson that sometimes, even in our lowest moments, we can learn from those we least expect.

The moral
One should not criticize others for their shortcomings when they themselves are in a worse situation.

Discussion questions

  1. What does the pig's criticism reveal about his character?
  2. How might the drunken man's experience relate to situations in our lives?
  3. Why is it important to reflect on our own shortcomings before judging others?

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Good night.

Tomorrow night: The Fox and the Crane