The Cat and the Cock
Story Summary
In "The Cat and the Cock," a Cat captures a Cock and seeks a justification for eating him, accusing the Cock of disturbing men with his nighttime crowing. Despite the Cock's defense that his crowing helps men wake for their labors, the Cat dismisses his pleas, illustrating a big moral story about the disregard of reason in the face of predation. This short story with moral highlights the consequences of selfishness and the importance of understanding intentions in life-changing stories.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that clever excuses cannot save one from the predatory intentions of the powerful.
Historical Context
This fable, likely attributed to Aesop, reflects themes of power dynamics and deception found in many ancient tales. Originating from a tradition of oral storytelling in ancient Greece, it has been retold across cultures, emphasizing moral lessons about the cunning of the strong over the weak. This particular fable illustrates the idea that those in power may manipulate reasoning to justify their actions, a common motif in folklore that serves to critique social hierarchies and the nature of justice.
Our Editors Opinion
This fable highlights how the powerful often manipulate situations to justify their actions, a lesson relevant in today's world where those in authority may twist narratives to serve their interests. For instance, in the workplace, a manager might unfairly criticize an employee's performance to rationalize a layoff, despite the employee's hard work and contributions, reminding us to be aware of the motives behind criticisms and to stand up for ourselves justly.
You May Also Like
Jupiter and the Birds
In "Jupiter and the Birds," Jupiter calls upon all the birds to choose the most beautiful one as their king. The jackdaw, disguised with borrowed feathers, initially impresses but is soon exposed, prompting indignation from the others. However, Jupiter praises the jackdaw's cleverness, declaring him king and illustrating a thought-provoking moral: that wit is more valuable than mere appearance, making this a memorable story with moral significance.
The Thief and the Honest Man
In the wisdom-packed moral story "The Thief and the Honest Man," a thief sues his accomplices for his share of stolen goods from an Honest Man, who cleverly evades the trial by claiming he is merely an agent for other honest individuals. When served with a subpoena, the Honest Man amusingly distracts himself by pretending to pick his own pockets, illustrating the lessons learned from stories about accountability and cleverness in the face of adversity. This short story with a moral leaves readers pondering the complexities of honesty and complicity in wrongdoing.
The Thief and the Housedog
In "The Thief and the Housedog," a cunning thief tries to bribe a dog with meat to silence it and prevent barking during his burglary. However, the vigilant dog sees through the thief's deceptive kindness and remains alert, understanding that such gestures may hide malicious intentions. This story serves as a creative moral tale about vigilance and the importance of being wary of seemingly generous offers, making it a culturally significant addition to motivational stories with moral lessons.
Related Collections
Other names for this story
Feline Feast, The Cock's Defense, Nighttime Nuisance, The Cat's Dilemma, Rooster Ruckus, Suppertime Showdown, Claw and Cluck, The Purrfect Excuse
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of deceit and survival, illustrating how those in power often manipulate the truth to justify their actions, regardless of the moral implications. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of being at the mercy of a predator who twists reason to suit their own desires.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.