FABLE LXIV
by John Gay
The Silly Owl's School
Once, there was an Owl. He was Professor Owl. He wore big, round glasses. He looked very smart. His school was in a big red barn. "Learn new jobs!" said his sign. A Swan came to the school. A Rooster came to the school. A Spider came to the school. A Donkey came to the school. All the animals were excited. They wanted to learn new things.
Professor Owl looked at them all. He pointed a wing at Swan. "You will be a soldier," he told Swan. He pointed his wing at Rooster. "You will be a swimmer," he told Rooster. This was a bad idea. He pointed at Spider next. "You will be a singer," he told Spider. This was also a bad idea. "You will be a builder," he told Donkey. Professor Owl was very proud. But all the jobs were wrong.
The Swan tried to be a soldier. He lifted one foot to march. He lifted the other foot. But his big webbed feet went flop, flop. He could not march at all. He just waddled in a circle. The Rooster went to the water. He was supposed to swim. He dipped one toe in. "It's wet!" he chirped. He was scared of the water. He would not go in. The Spider tried to be a singer. He took a big, deep breath. He opened his mouth to sing. But no sound came out at all. He could not make a single sound. The Donkey tried to be a builder. He got some wood and some nails. He built a little house. But the house wiggled. Then it jiggled. Then it fell down. Crash! All the animals were very sad.
A kind Farmer heard the crash. He saw the sad animals. He went to Professor Owl's school. "You made a mistake," the Farmer said. His voice was kind and gentle. "You are a silly owl." The Farmer was not mean. He was just being honest. "Look at the animals," he said. "A swan is good at swimming. A rooster is a good lookout. A spider is good at making webs. And a donkey is good at carrying things."
Professor Owl listened. He blinked his big, round eyes. He had been very silly. The animals were happy now. The Swan slid into the cool pond. He swam in beautiful circles. The Rooster stood on a fence post. He looked all around the farm. The Spider spun a big, beautiful web. It shined in the morning sun. The Donkey carried a big bale of hay. He was very strong and helpful. They all did their best jobs. And everyone on the farm was happy.
Original Story
FABLE LXIV.
Owl, Swan, Cock, Spider, Ass, and Farmer. (*To a Mother.*)
Yes, I have seen your eyes maternal Beam, as beam forth the stars eternal, Intercommuning of your joys— Sayings and doings of your boys. Nature, in body and in mind, Has been to them profusely kind; It now remains to do your part, To sow good morals in the heart. None other, as a mother can, Can form and educate the man. Perhaps now you anticipate In youth unknown each future state. The Church, the Navy, and the Bar, I censure not: such choices are Precarious truly in the event; Yet ere we give a last assent, We should remember nor destroy The latent genius in the boy.
Martial relates—a father once Wrote thus about his boy, a dunce: "You know I've stuck at no expense To train the lad, and rouse his sense; To me it seems he backward goes Like to a crab—for aught he knows. My friend, advise me what to do." And Martial thus replied in few: "Make him a grazier or a drover, And let him dwell in rural clover." 'Tis doubtful if the father heard This answer—he returned no word.
The urchin, wanting wit, is sent To school to grow impertinent; To college next; which left, he blunders In law, or military thunders; Or, if by medical degree, The sexton shares the doctor's fee, Or, if for orders passed, as full fit, He only potters from the pulpit, We see that Nature has been foiled Of her intent—a tradesman spoiled. And even so do Ministers Reward with places human burrs; For it is very meet and fit They should reward their kinsman's wit. Are such times past? Does merit now In a due course and channel flow? Distinguished in their posts, do we Worth and desert rewarded see? Survey the reverend bench, and spy If patrons choose by piety? Is honesty, disgraced and poor, Distinct from what it was of yore? And are all offices no longer Granted unto the rich and stronger? And are they never held by sparks, With all the business done by clerks? Do we, now, never contemplate Appointments such, in Church and State? And is there in no post a hobbler, Who should have been, by right, a cobbler? Patrons, consider such creations Expose yourselves and your relations; You should, as parents to the nation, Ponder upon such nomination— And know, whene'er you wield a trust, Your judgment ever should be just.
An owl of magisterial air, Of solemn aspect, filled the chair; And, with the port of human race, Wore wisdom written on his face. He from the flippant world retired, And in a barn himself admired; And, like an ancient sage, concealed The follies foppish life revealed. He pondered o'er black-lettered pages Of old philosophers and sages— Of Xenophon, and of the feat Of the ten thousand in retreat; Pondered o'er Plutarch and o'er Plato, On Scipio, Socrates, and Cato. But what most roused the bird's conceit, Was Athens—academic seat— From which he thought himself descended. He an academy attended, And learnt by rote dogmatic rules; And, with trite sentences for tools, He opened an academy— Himself the *Magister* to be: And it won fame. The stately swan There sent her son and heir; her son Dame Partlet sent; and Mister Spider, Who in mechanics levelled wider; And Sir John Asinus, with hopes On music, metaphors, and tropes. With years, their education done And life before them to be run, The mothers Dr. Owl consulted On their career—and this resulted: The swan was to the army sent; The cock unto the navy went; The spider went to Court; and Neddy For Handel's music was made ready. They played their parts, the public railed: They, spite of education, failed.
"You blockhead!" said an honest farmer, Who grew with indignation warmer, "You are an owl: and are as blind, As parents, to the youthful mind. Had you with judgment judged, the swan Had his career in nautics ran; The cock had played the soldier's part. The spider plied the weaver's art; And for the donkey, dull and crass, You should have let him be an ass."
Moral of the Story
Individuals should be guided towards careers that align with their natural talents and aptitudes, rather than forced into unsuitable roles by ambition or patronage.
Characters
Owl ◆ supporting
A large, imposing owl with a solemn and magisterial bearing. His feathers are likely mottled browns and grays, giving him a distinguished, academic appearance. He carries himself with a certain gravitas, as if constantly deep in thought.
Attire: None, as an animal, but his 'magisterial air' suggests a dignified, perhaps slightly puffed-up posture, like a human academic in a gown.
Wants: To be seen as a great scholar and educator, to impart 'wisdom' based on classical texts, and to establish a renowned academy.
Flaw: Blindness to practical talent and individual aptitude; he forces students into roles based on his academic theories rather than their natural abilities.
He remains unchanged, his flawed educational philosophy exposed by the failures of his students, but he himself does not learn from it.
Pompous, academic, dogmatic, conceited, and ultimately impractical. He values rote learning and classical knowledge over innate talent or practical application.
Swan ○ minor
A stately and elegant swan, with pristine white feathers and a long, graceful neck. Her movements are fluid and refined, indicative of her species.
Attire: None, as an animal. Her natural plumage serves as her 'attire'.
Wants: To ensure her son's successful future and career, seeking the best education available.
Flaw: Naivety and blind trust in the Owl's academic credentials, failing to recognize her son's true aptitude.
She experiences the failure of her son's career due to the Owl's misguidance but her own perspective is not explicitly shown to change.
Proud, concerned for her son's future, and trusting of academic authority, even if misguided.
Cock ○ minor
A vibrant and energetic cock, likely with bright, iridescent feathers, a proud chest, and strong legs. He would have a lively, perhaps somewhat aggressive, demeanor.
Attire: None, as an animal. His colorful plumage is his 'wardrobe'.
Wants: To succeed in life, guided by his mother's and the Owl's choices.
Flaw: His natural inclination towards a soldier's role is ignored, leading to failure in the navy.
He fails in the navy due to being placed in the wrong career, highlighting the Owl's flawed judgment.
Spirited, perhaps a bit boastful, and naturally inclined towards a more active, assertive role, which is misdirected by the Owl.
Spider ○ minor
A spider, perhaps larger than average, with a complex web-spinning apparatus. Its body would be dark and segmented, with multiple legs. The description 'in mechanics levelled wider' suggests a natural aptitude for intricate construction.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To fulfill the role chosen for him by his parents and the Owl.
Flaw: His natural talent for weaving is ignored, leading to failure at court.
He fails at court, demonstrating the mismatch between his natural talent and his assigned career.
Naturally inclined towards intricate, mechanical work and weaving, but forced into a courtly role.
Ass ○ minor
A sturdy, grey donkey with long ears and a shaggy coat. He would appear somewhat docile and perhaps a bit slow-witted, but with a gentle nature.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Wants: To follow the path laid out for him, despite his lack of aptitude.
Flaw: His inherent lack of musical talent, leading to failure in a musical career.
He fails in music, proving that he should have been left to his natural state as an ass.
Dull, crass, and naturally suited to being a simple donkey, yet forced into a musical career.
Farmer ◆ supporting
A robust, honest farmer, likely with a weathered face from working outdoors. He would have a strong, practical build, indicative of a life of manual labor.
Attire: Simple, practical 18th-century English peasant clothing: a sturdy linen shirt, a practical waistcoat, rough wool breeches, and thick leather boots. Colors would be earthy and muted.
Wants: To express his frustration and correct the misguided educational philosophy of the Owl, advocating for natural aptitude.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, as he serves as the voice of wisdom.
He serves as the moral voice of the fable, delivering the concluding lesson without undergoing a personal change.
Honest, practical, indignant, and possessing strong common sense. He is a voice of reason against the Owl's academic folly.
Locations
The Owl's Barn Academy
A rustic barn, repurposed as an academy, where an owl of magisterial air presides. It is filled with black-lettered pages of old philosophers and sages, suggesting a scholarly but perhaps dusty atmosphere. The owl, having retired from the 'flippant world', admires himself within these confines.
Mood: Scholarly, self-important, somewhat detached from practical reality, dusty.
The owl establishes his academy here, teaching various animal students (swan, cock, spider, ass) academic subjects, ultimately misguiding them on their future careers.
Farmer's Farmyard
A practical, honest farmyard where a farmer, described as 'honest' and 'indignation warmer', delivers his common-sense critique of the owl's misguided education. It is a place of rural clover, implying open fields and a connection to practical, agricultural life.
Mood: Down-to-earth, practical, honest, perhaps a bit stern due to the farmer's indignation.
The farmer confronts the owl, offering a practical, common-sense assessment of the animals' true aptitudes, contrasting sharply with the owl's academic approach.
Story DNA
Moral
Individuals should be guided towards careers that align with their natural talents and aptitudes, rather than forced into unsuitable roles by ambition or patronage.
Plot Summary
The fable, presented as advice to a mother, criticizes the practice of forcing individuals into careers unsuited to their natural talents, often due to ambition or nepotism. It illustrates this with an Owl, a self-important academic, who establishes an academy and then advises his animal students (a Swan, Cock, Spider, and Ass) into professions completely contrary to their inherent abilities. Predictably, all the animals fail spectacularly in their assigned roles. An honest farmer then confronts the Owl, chastising him for his lack of judgment and asserting that each creature should have been allowed to follow its natural calling.
Themes
Emotional Arc
frustration to exasperation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables often satirized contemporary society, politics, and human follies, reflecting the Enlightenment era's emphasis on reason and critique of established institutions.
Plot Beats (9)
- The narrator opens by addressing a mother, stressing the need to cultivate a child's inherent genius.
- A historical anecdote is shared about a father whose 'dunce' son is advised by Martial to become a grazier, implying a natural fit.
- The narrator criticizes the societal trend of pushing untalented individuals into prestigious professions, leading to failure.
- The critique expands to nepotism in Church and State, where merit is overlooked for connections.
- An academic Owl, proud of his classical learning, establishes an academy.
- Various animal mothers (Swan, Cock, Spider, Ass) send their sons to the Owl's academy.
- Upon graduation, the Owl advises the mothers on their sons' careers, making choices that contradict their natural abilities (e.g., Swan to army, Cock to navy, Ass to music).
- The educated animals fail spectacularly in their assigned roles, causing public outcry.
- An honest farmer confronts the Owl, pointing out his profound error in judgment and stating that the animals should have been allowed to follow their natural instincts.
