THE DOG and THE COOK
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
A rich man had a big party. Many friends came to his house. There was much food. Happy talk filled the air. The kitchen was busy. Cooks made yummy dishes. Everyone was excited for the feast.
Buddy was the rich man's dog. He saw all the food. He felt happy. Buddy had a friend. His friend was Hungry Dog. Buddy wanted to share. He went to find Hungry Dog. 'Come to the party!' Buddy barked. 'Eat with me tonight!'
Hungry Dog came to the house. He saw the big kitchen. So much food was there! Big pots bubbled. Yummy smells filled the air. 'Wow!' thought Hungry Dog. 'I am so lucky! I will eat very much. It will last many days!'
Hungry Dog felt so happy. He wagged his tail fast. His tail went thump, thump, thump. He showed Buddy his joy. He was glad to be there. He waited for the food.
The Cook worked in the kitchen. He was busy. He looked up. He saw Hungry Dog. 'Who is this dog?' thought The Cook. Hungry Dog was not Buddy. He was a strange dog.
The Cook felt a little mad. This dog did not belong here. He walked to Hungry Dog. The Cook gently picked up Hungry Dog. He carried him outside. He put Hungry Dog outside. He left the house. The door closed.
Hungry Dog felt very sad. He did not get any food. He slowly walked away. He made a soft, sad sound. He was not hurt. But he felt very, very sad. He left the party.
Later, other dogs saw Hungry Dog. 'Hello!' they barked. 'What did you eat?' they asked. 'How was the big dinner?' Hungry Dog stopped walking. He looked at his friends.
Hungry Dog made up a story. He said, 'Oh, it was a great dinner! I ate much yummy food. I ate chicken. I ate cakes. I felt very sleepy. I do not remember leaving the house!' He wanted friends to think he had fun. But he did not eat. It is not good to be too greedy. It is not good to take things. These things are not yours. The Hungry Dog learned a lesson that day.
Original Story
THE DOG AND THE COOK
A rich man once invited a number of his friends and acquaintances to a banquet. His dog thought it would be a good opportunity to invite another Dog, a friend of his; so he went to him and said, "My master is giving a feast: there'll be a fine spread, so come and dine with me to-night." The Dog thus invited came, and when he saw the preparations being made in the kitchen he said to himself, "My word, I'm in luck: I'll take care to eat enough to-night to last me two or three days." At the same time he wagged his tail briskly, by way of showing his friend how delighted he was to have been asked. But just then the Cook caught sight of him, and, in his annoyance at seeing a strange Dog in the kitchen, caught him up by the hind legs and threw him out of the window. He had a nasty fall, and limped away as quickly as he could, howling dismally. Presently some other dogs met him, and said, "Well, what sort of a dinner did you get?" To which he replied, "I had a splendid time: the wine was so good, and I drank so much of it, that I really don't remember how I got out of the house!"
Be shy of favours bestowed at the expense of others.
Story DNA
Moral
Be shy of favors bestowed at the expense of others.
Plot Summary
A rich man's dog invites a friend to a banquet. The invited dog, seeing the lavish preparations, becomes overly excited and greedy, planning to eat for days. However, the Cook discovers the strange dog in the kitchen and angrily throws him out the window. The humiliated dog limps away and, when questioned by other dogs, invents a story about a splendid, wine-filled dinner to hide his misfortune.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anticipation to humiliation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables originated in ancient Greece, often using animal characters to convey moral lessons relevant to human behavior.
Plot Beats (9)
- A rich man hosts a banquet for his friends.
- The rich man's dog decides to invite a friend to the feast.
- The invited dog arrives and is overjoyed by the sight of the kitchen preparations, planning to eat excessively.
- The invited dog wags his tail vigorously, showing his excitement.
- The Cook spots the strange dog in the kitchen.
- Annoyed, the Cook grabs the strange dog by its hind legs and throws it out the window.
- The dog suffers a nasty fall, limps away, and howls dismally.
- Other dogs later ask him about his dinner.
- The humiliated dog fabricates a story about a wonderful dinner with too much wine, claiming he doesn't remember leaving.
Characters
◆
The Rich Man's Dog
A well-fed, medium-sized domestic dog, likely a breed common in ancient Greece, with a sturdy build and a healthy, glossy coat. His fur is a warm, medium brown, indicating good care and regular meals.
Attire: None, as he is a dog.
Wants: To share his good fortune and enjoy a feast with a friend.
Flaw: Overly trusting and perhaps a bit oblivious to potential consequences of inviting guests without permission.
Does not undergo a significant arc, but his actions set the stage for the main event.
Generous, hospitable, somewhat naive, well-meaning.
★
The Invited Dog
A lean, perhaps slightly scruffier domestic dog, likely a common breed from ancient Greece, with a wiry build suggesting a life less pampered than his friend's. His fur is a mottled grey-brown, showing signs of outdoor living.
Attire: None, as he is a dog.
Wants: To eat as much as possible to sustain himself for days.
Flaw: Greed and a lack of caution, leading him to an unfortunate situation.
Experiences a harsh lesson in the dangers of unearned favors but learns to cleverly mask his misfortune.
Opportunistic, eager, boastful (after the fact), resilient (in his ability to spin the story).
⚔
The Cook
A robust, middle-aged man with strong arms, indicative of his physical work in the kitchen. He is of average height for an ancient Greek man, with a practical, no-nonsense demeanor.
Attire: A simple, practical tunic made of coarse linen, possibly stained from kitchen work, tied at the waist with a rope or simple belt. His sleeves are rolled up to his elbows.
Wants: To maintain order and hygiene in his kitchen and ensure the banquet preparations proceed without disruption.
Flaw: Quick to anger and prone to immediate, physical reactions.
No arc, serves as a catalyst for the Invited Dog's misfortune.
Diligent, protective of his kitchen, easily annoyed by intruders, decisive.
Locations
Rich Man's Kitchen
A bustling kitchen filled with the aroma of a feast, with various preparations underway. Likely a large, well-equipped kitchen in a wealthy household, possibly with stone floors and a large hearth.
Mood: Bustling, aromatic, initially exciting for the invited dog, then suddenly violent and chaotic.
The invited dog sees the feast preparations, gets excited, and is then violently thrown out by the Cook.
Outside the Rich Man's House
The ground outside the house where the dog lands after being thrown from the window. Likely a dirt path or grassy area near the building.
Mood: Painful, disorienting, desolate for the injured dog.
The injured dog limps away, howling dismally, and is met by other dogs.