THE TWO SOLDIERS and THE ROBBER
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Two soldiers walked on a road. They were friends. One was The Brave Soldier. He was strong. The other was The Timid Soldier. He liked to talk. They walked a long way.
A bad man came. He was The Robber. The Robber jumped out from trees. He wanted their money. He looked very mean. The soldiers saw him. They felt danger.
The Timid Soldier was scared. He turned and ran fast. He ran into the green woods. He left his friend alone. He did not help his friend. He ran very far.
The Brave Soldier stood still. He was not scared. He held his sword up. He looked at The Robber. He was very brave. He faced The Robber. He pushed The Robber back. He stood his ground.
The Robber did not like this. The Brave Soldier was strong. The Robber turned and ran away. He ran back into the dark trees. He was gone. The danger passed.
The Robber was far away. The danger was gone. The Timid Soldier came back. He walked from the green woods. He looked around him. He saw no danger now. He felt safe.
The Timid Soldier held his sword up. He made a loud noise. "Where is he?" he cried. "I will fight him! I am very brave. I would scare him away." He talked very big.
The Brave Soldier looked at him. He spoke calmly. "You are too late," he said. "I needed your help then. You did not speak. You did not stand with me. Your words are not true now. I wished you were here."
"Put your sword away," The Brave Soldier said. "I know the truth. You run from danger. You are not brave. You are like a rabbit. You run very fast. Others may believe you. I know you run."
The brave soldier taught a lesson. True courage is not just words. It is what you do when danger comes.
Original Story
THE TWO SOLDIERS AND THE ROBBER
Two Soldiers travelling together were set upon by a Robber. One of them ran away, but the other stood his ground, and laid about him so lustily with his sword that the Robber was fain to fly and leave him in peace. When the coast was clear the timid one ran back, and, flourishing his weapon, cried in a threatening voice, "Where is he? Let me get at him, and I'll soon let him know whom he's got to deal with." But the other replied, "You are a little late, my friend: I only wish you had backed me up just now, even if you had done no more than speak, for I should have been encouraged, believing your words to be true. As it is, calm yourself, and put up your sword: there is no further use for it. You may delude others into thinking you're as brave as a lion: but I know that, at the first sign of danger, you run away like a hare."
Story DNA
Moral
It is easy to be brave when there is no danger in sight, but true courage is shown in the face of adversity.
Plot Summary
Two soldiers are attacked by a robber while traveling. One soldier flees, while the other bravely fights off the assailant. After the robber retreats, the timid soldier returns, boasting loudly about his supposed bravery. The brave soldier then exposes his companion's cowardice, highlighting that true courage is shown in action, not in words after the danger has passed.
Themes
Emotional Arc
tension to relief to disillusionment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables are ancient Greek stories, often featuring animals or simple human characters, designed to teach moral lessons.
Plot Beats (9)
- Two soldiers are journeying together.
- They are suddenly attacked by a robber.
- One soldier immediately runs away, abandoning his companion.
- The remaining soldier stands his ground and fights the robber fiercely with his sword.
- The robber, defeated, is forced to flee.
- Once the danger is gone, the timid soldier returns.
- The timid soldier brandishes his weapon and loudly boasts about how he would have dealt with the robber.
- The brave soldier calmly tells his companion that his words are too late and that he wished for his help during the actual fight.
- The brave soldier dismisses the timid one's false bravado, stating that he knows he is a coward who runs at the first sign of danger.
Characters
★
The Brave Soldier
A man of average height with a sturdy, muscular build, indicative of someone accustomed to physical exertion and combat. His hands are calloused, and his posture suggests readiness and strength.
Attire: Practical, well-worn Roman-era soldier's attire: a simple tunic of sturdy wool (perhaps dark grey or brown), a leather cingulum (military belt) with metal studs, and sturdy leather caligae (sandals). He would wear a simple, unadorned cloak for travel, likely made of coarse wool.
Wants: To protect himself and his companion, to uphold his duty as a soldier, to survive.
Flaw: Perhaps a lack of patience for cowardice or pretense, leading him to be blunt.
He remains steadfast in his character, serving as a moral compass and delivering the story's lesson. He doesn't change, but rather reveals the truth of his companion.
Brave, resolute, honest, practical, courageous.
◆
The Timid Soldier
A man of average build, perhaps slightly leaner than his companion, with a less imposing physical presence. His movements might be a bit more hesitant or quick to flee.
Attire: Similar Roman-era soldier's attire to his companion, but perhaps slightly less well-maintained or worn with less confidence. A lighter colored wool tunic (e.g., cream or light brown), a simpler leather belt, and standard caligae. His cloak might be clutched tighter or appear more disheveled.
Wants: To avoid danger, to appear brave and strong to others, to maintain his reputation without actual effort.
Flaw: Extreme cowardice, leading him to abandon others and then lie about his actions.
He is exposed as a coward and a braggart by his companion, learning a harsh lesson about true bravery versus false bravado, though it's unclear if he truly internalizes it.
Cowardly, boastful, deceptive, opportunistic, insecure.
⚔
The Robber
A man of robust, perhaps intimidating build, suggesting strength and a life spent outdoors. He would be dressed in practical, dark clothing suitable for ambushes and travel.
Attire: Practical, dark, and somewhat tattered clothing suitable for a highwayman in Roman times: a dark, coarse wool tunic, possibly a leather vest or jerkin, and sturdy, worn boots. He might have a dark cloak to blend into shadows.
Wants: To steal from travelers, to survive through banditry.
Flaw: Overconfidence, and a lack of true courage when faced with determined resistance.
He is defeated and forced to flee, serving as the catalyst for the soldiers' interaction and the moral lesson.
Aggressive, opportunistic, predatory, ultimately pragmatic (knowing when to retreat).
Locations
Winding Country Road
A dusty, unpaved road winding through a rural landscape, likely flanked by sparse vegetation or low hills, under a clear sky.
Mood: Initially peaceful and ordinary, quickly turning tense and dangerous.
The two soldiers are ambushed by a robber while traveling.