The Hunter and the Horseman
Story Summary
In this humorous story with a moral, a hunter captures a hare only to be tricked by a horseman who pretends to buy it but instead steals it and rides away. Despite the hunter's futile chase, he ultimately resigns himself to the situation and sarcastically offers the hare as a gift, highlighting the absurdity of the encounter. This very short moral story illustrates the importance of accepting one's losses with a sense of humor.
Click to reveal the moral of the story
The moral of the story is that sometimes it is better to let go of what has been taken from you rather than wasting energy in pursuit.
Historical Context
This story is a fable that reflects themes of justice and cleverness, reminiscent of Aesop's Fables, which often feature animals and moral lessons. Originating in ancient Greece, fables like this one have been retold across cultures, illustrating human follies and virtues through simple narratives. The tale emphasizes the futility of revenge and the wisdom in letting go, common motifs in folklore that highlight the complexities of human behavior.
Our Editors Opinion
This story highlights the futility of pursuing something that has already slipped away, emphasizing the importance of recognizing when to let go. In modern life, this can be seen in a scenario where someone invests significant time and effort into a failed business venture; rather than clinging to the loss, they may find greater success by redirecting their energy toward new opportunities.
You May Also Like
The Bat and the Weasels
In this thought-provoking moral story, a clever Bat encounters two different Weasels, each time using his wits to adapt his identity and escape being eaten. First, he deceives one Weasel by claiming to be a mouse, and then he convinces another that he is not a mouse but a Bat, showcasing the importance of resourcefulness in difficult situations. This short story serves as an educational moral tale about the value of turning circumstances to one's advantage.
An Officer and a Thug
In "An Officer and a Thug," a Chief of Police reprimands an Officer for beating a Thug, only to hilariously discover that both are stuffed figures. This humorous exchange, a standout among well-known moral stories, underscores the absurdity of their situation and offers a life lesson about perspective and understanding. The Chief's unintentional reveal of his own stuffed nature serves as a reminder of the importance of self-awareness in personal growth.
The Holy Deacon
In "The Holy Deacon," a short tale with a moral, an itinerant preacher enlists a Holy Deacon to collect donations from a reluctant congregation, promising him a quarter of the proceeds. However, after the collection, the Deacon reveals that the hardened hearts of the congregation yielded nothing for him, illustrating a life lesson about the challenge of generosity. This easy small story serves as a poignant reminder for young readers about the complexities of faith and giving in short story collections with moral themes.
Other names for this story
The Hunter's Revenge, The Hare Thief, The Chase for the Hare, The Stolen Prize, The Hunter's Dilemma, The Horseman's Escape, Hare and Horseman, The Gift of the Hunt
Did You Know?
This fable highlights the theme of deception and the futility of chasing after what is already lost; the hunter's resigned acceptance of the horseman's theft illustrates how sometimes letting go can be more empowering than futile pursuit.
Subscribe to Daily Stories
Get a new moral story in your inbox every day.