An Inadequate Fee
Story Summary
In "An Inadequate Fee," a trapped Ox enlists the help of a Political Pull, who rescues him from the mire but is left with only the Ox's skin as a reward. Discontent with this meager fee, the Political Pull vows to return for more, highlighting the lessons learned from stories about greed and the costs of assistance. This short moral story serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing the value of help received, even in challenging situations.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The story illustrates that those who exploit others for personal gain may find their rewards insufficient and face discontent with the outcomes of their actions.
Historical Context
This story reflects themes from Aesop’s fables, which often convey moral lessons through anthropomorphized animals and situations that highlight human folly and vice. The narrative echoes the fable tradition's exploration of political and social dynamics, illustrating the potential exploitation inherent in relationships of power and the consequences of reliance on others. Similar retellings can be found in various cultures, where the interplay between dependency and manipulation is a recurring motif, emphasizing the moral complexities of human nature.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable illustrates the dangers of relying on influential connections at the expense of one's own well-being, a theme that resonates in modern life where networking and favoritism can sometimes lead to exploitation. For instance, a young professional might seek the help of a powerful mentor to secure a job, only to later find themselves overworked and underappreciated, realizing that the mentor's support came with strings attached that ultimately benefit the mentor more than the mentee.
You May Also Like
The Mourning Brothers
In the short story "The Mourning Brothers," an Old Man, sensing his death, challenges his sons to prove their sorrow by wearing weeds on their hats, promising his fortune to the one who endures the longest. After years of stubbornness, they agree to share the inheritance, only to discover that an Executor has taken control of the estate, leaving them with nothing. This tale, rich in folklore and moral lessons, highlights the consequences of hypocrisy and obstinacy, making it one of the best moral stories in short story collections.
Uncalculating Zeal
In the Kingdom of Damnasia, a man-eating tiger terrorizes the populace, prompting the King to offer his daughter Zodroulra as a reward for the beast's slayer. Camaraladdin, seeking fame, claims the reward without confronting the tiger, instead presenting the scalp of a wealthy man, leading to his execution by the King. This culturally significant moral story illustrates the dangers of misguided ambition, suggesting that sometimes, uncalculated zeal can cost more than one anticipates, as the millionaire could have been a solution to the tiger problem.
The Ingenious Patriot
In "The Ingenious Patriot," a clever inventor seeks a million tumtums for his formula for invulnerable armor, only to reveal a gun that can pierce it for another million. However, upon discovering the inventor's numerous pockets, the King punishes his ingenuity by ordering his execution and declaring it a capital offense, serving as a cautionary tale in this wisdom-packed moral story for young readers. This inspirational short story with a moral highlights the consequences of cleverness in a world that fears innovation.
Other names for this story
A Political Pull's Fee, The Cost of Rescue, A Deal with the Devil, The Price of Help, Nature's Invoice, The Ox's Dilemma, Fat and Fees, A Tangled Rescue
Did You Know?
This fable cleverly critiques the exploitation inherent in political systems, illustrating how those in power often seek to benefit from the struggles of others while leaving the original victim with little to show for their plight. The Ox's reliance on the "Political Pull" serves as a metaphor for how individuals may become pawns in larger schemes, ultimately leading to their own detriment.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.