THE CLOWN and THE COUNTRYMAN
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
A rich Lord wanted a show. He offered a big prize. Many people came to perform. They wanted to win. They wanted the big prize.
Many people came to the show. Jugglers came. Jumpers came. A Clown came too. The Clown was liked much. Everyone liked his tricks.
The show day came. The theatre was full. Many people waited. The Clown went on stage. He was alone. He had a new trick.
The Clown put his head down. He made a sound. It was a pig's squeal. The sound was perfect. It sounded so real. People thought a real pig was there. They looked for the pig.
The Clown showed his hands. He showed his clothes. There was no pig. The people were surprised. They clapped loudly. They cheered for him. They liked the Clown very much.
A Farmer was in the crowd. He watched the show. He was not happy. He frowned a lot. He said, "I can do better!" He disliked the trick.
The Farmer spoke loudly. He was very sure. He said, "I will show you next day." He would make the pig sound. He wanted the big prize. He wanted to win.
The next day came. The theatre was full again. The Clown came on stage. He made the pig sound. People cheered loudly. They loved the Clown.
Then the Farmer went on stage. He wore a big coat. Under his coat was a pig. It was a real, small pig. No one saw the pig.
People said, "Do better, Farmer!" The pig squealed loudly. It was a very loud sound. The real pig cried out. All people heard the sound. It was very noisy.
But the people shouted. They said, "Clown's sound was better!" They liked it more. They did not like the real pig. They wanted the Clown.
The Farmer was angry. He showed the real pig. He pulled it from his coat. The pig was real. He said, "You are bad judges!" He felt very upset.
It is not good to judge only by what you see. At times, what is real is not always the best.
Original Story
THE CLOWN AND THE COUNTRYMAN
A Nobleman announced his intention of giving a public entertainment in the theatre, and offered splendid prizes to all who had any novelty to exhibit at the performance. The announcement attracted a crowd of conjurers, jugglers, and acrobats, and among the rest a Clown, very popular with the crowd, who let it be known that he was going to give an entirely new turn. When the day of the performance came, the theatre was filled from top to bottom some time before the entertainment began. Several performers exhibited their tricks, and then the popular favourite came on empty-handed and alone. At once there was a hush of expectation: and he, letting his head fall upon his breast, imitated the squeak of a pig to such perfection that the audience insisted on his producing the animal, which, they said, he must have somewhere concealed about his person. He, however, convinced them that there was no pig there, and then the applause was deafening. Among the spectators was a Countryman, who disparaged the Clown's performance and announced that he would give a much superior exhibition of the same trick on the following day. Again the theatre was filled to overflowing, and again the Clown gave his imitation amidst the cheers of the crowd. The Countryman, meanwhile, before going on the stage, had secreted a young porker under his smock; and when the spectators derisively bade him do better if he could, he gave it a pinch in the ear and made it squeal loudly. But they all with one voice shouted out that the Clown's imitation was much more true to life. Thereupon he produced the pig from under his smock and said sarcastically, "There, that shows what sort of judges you are!"
Story DNA
Moral
People often judge by appearance and reputation rather than by true merit or authenticity.
Plot Summary
A nobleman hosts a competition, attracting a popular Clown who perfectly imitates a pig's squeal, earning immense applause after proving he has no hidden animal. A skeptical Countryman boasts he can do better and, the next day, hides a real pig under his smock, making it squeal. However, the audience still prefers the Clown's imitation, leading the Countryman to reveal the real pig and expose their poor judgment.
Themes
Emotional Arc
expectation to revelation to irony
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient, orally transmitted stories, often reflecting common human behaviors and societal observations.
Plot Beats (12)
- A nobleman organizes a public entertainment with prizes for novel acts.
- Many performers, including a popular Clown, are attracted to the event.
- The Clown announces a new act and performs it alone on stage.
- He perfectly imitates a pig's squeal, convincing the audience he has a hidden pig.
- The Clown proves he has no pig, and the audience gives him thunderous applause.
- A Countryman in the audience disparages the Clown's act, claiming he can do better.
- The Countryman announces he will perform the same trick the next day.
- The theatre is again full, and the Clown performs his imitation to cheers.
- The Countryman, having hidden a real young pig under his smock, goes on stage.
- When challenged, he pinches the pig's ear, making it squeal loudly.
- The audience, however, insists the Clown's imitation was more realistic.
- The Countryman reveals the real pig and sarcastically criticizes the audience's judgment.
Characters
★
The Clown
Of average height and build, agile enough for stage performance. His movements are precise and controlled, especially when mimicking sounds.
Attire: A simple, unadorned tunic and breeches, perhaps in muted colors like grey or brown, allowing him to appear 'empty-handed' and without concealment. The fabric would be practical and allow for freedom of movement.
Wants: To entertain the public, win prizes, and prove his unique talent as an imitator.
Flaw: Perhaps a touch of overconfidence, as he doesn't anticipate being challenged so directly.
He is initially celebrated, then challenged, and ultimately vindicated, reaffirming his superior skill.
Clever, confident, skilled, observant, and a showman. He knows his craft and trusts his ability to entertain.
⚔
The Countryman
A sturdy, perhaps slightly stocky build, typical of someone who works the land. His hands might be calloused, and his movements less refined than a performer's.
Attire: A practical, loose-fitting smock made of coarse linen or wool, likely in earthy tones like brown or undyed cream. He would wear simple trousers and sturdy, worn leather boots. The smock is crucial for concealing the pig.
Wants: To expose what he sees as the audience's foolishness and to prove that 'real' is always better than 'imitation'. He wants to win the prize and show up the Clown.
Flaw: His literal-mindedness and inability to appreciate artifice or skill in mimicry. He underestimates the audience's preference for artistry.
He attempts to debunk the Clown's act and the audience's judgment but fails, ending in public humiliation and a sarcastic retort.
Sarcastic, competitive, literal-minded, overconfident, and somewhat resentful of perceived deception. He values authenticity over artistry.
○
The Nobleman
Likely well-groomed and of a distinguished bearing, reflecting his status. He would be of average to tall height, with a composed demeanor.
Attire: Richly appointed attire, such as a velvet doublet and breeches, possibly in deep jewel tones, with fine lace cuffs and a ruffled collar. He would wear polished leather shoes and potentially a feathered hat.
Wants: To provide entertainment for the public and perhaps enhance his own prestige.
Flaw: Not applicable; his role is primarily to set the stage.
Static; he initiates the event but does not undergo personal change.
Generous (offering splendid prizes), a patron of the arts (organizing public entertainment), and a figure of authority.
Locations
The Nobleman's Theatre
A large, bustling public theatre, likely Roman or Greek in style with tiered seating (cavea) for a large audience, a central stage (orchestra/skene), and possibly decorative architectural elements. It is filled to capacity with an eager crowd.
Mood: Excited, expectant, lively, later derisive and boisterous
Both the Clown and the Countryman perform their pig squeal imitations here, and the audience makes their judgment.