FABLE XIII
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
A man found a little deer. It was small and all alone. The deer was lost in the woods. The woods were dark and deep. He took the little deer home. His home was a very big house.
A kind woman saw the deer. It looked at her. It had big brown eyes. The woman smiled a warm smile. "It is so pretty," she said. She asked, "Can the deer stay here?" The man said, "Yes." The little deer can stay with us.
The little deer lived in the yard. The yard was very big. At first, a deer was shy. It hid behind the big trees. It watched the people from far away.
After many days, the deer felt safer. It was not so shy anymore. It still watched the people. It watched the man work hard. It watched the boy play games. The people were in the house. Or they were in the yard.
One day, the deer felt brave. It walked out from the trees. It took slow, quiet steps. It came closer to the house. It saw a shirt on a line. The shirt was white and clean. The deer sniffed the shirt gently. It smelled new and strange.
Then, the deer saw a little boy. The boy sat on the soft grass. He was eating a piece of bread. The deer felt very hungry. It watched the boy eat. It wanted the bread, too. It walked to the boy slowly. The boy did not see the deer. The deer took the bread. It ate the bread all up. It was good!
Now, the deer is not shy. It likes people. It follows the man and woman. It follows the little boy, too. It knows they have good food. It looks for a friendly hand. A hand with food is best.
The deer is very bold. It is not afraid. If a hand is closed, what happens? The deer pushes its wet nose inside. It pushes until the hand opens. It wants to get the tasty food. It will not go away.
The little deer is not shy now. It is a very bold deer. It wants food from the people. Sometimes people have no food. The deer does not like this. It nudges them with its head. It pushes them gently for a treat. It wants a tasty snack.
The deer was shy at first. It hid from everyone. Then the deer became bold. It was not afraid of people. It was not afraid of the house. You see things every day. Then they are not scary anymore. The deer learned this was true.
Original Story
FABLE XIII.
The Tamed Fawn.
A young stag in the brake was caught,
And home with corded antlers brought.
The lord was pleased: so was the clown.
When he was tipped with half-a-crown.
The stag was dragged before his wife;
The gentle lady begged its life:
"How sleek its skin! how specked like ermine!
Sure never creature was more charming."
At first within the court confined,
He fled and hid from all mankind;
Then, bolder grown, with mute amaze
He at safe distance stood to gaze;
Then munched the linen on the lines,
And off a hood or whimple dines;
Then steals my little master's bread,
Then followed servants to be fed,
Then poked his nose in fists for meat,
And though repulsed would not retreat;
Thrusts at them with his levelled horns,
And man, that was his terror, scorns.
How like unto the country maid,
Who of a red-coat, first, afraid
Will hide behind the door, to trace
The magic of the martial lace;
But soon before the door will stand,
Return the jest and strike the hand;
Then hangs with pride upon his arm,—
For gallant soldiers bear a charm,—
Then seeks to spread her conquering fame,
For custom conquers fear and shame.
Story DNA
Moral
Familiarity can lead to a loss of fear and respect, turning initial terror into boldness and even scorn.
Plot Summary
A young stag is captured and brought to a lord's estate, where the lady saves its life. Initially terrified of humans, the stag gradually loses its fear, first observing, then stealing food, then actively seeking it. Eventually, it becomes so bold that it thrusts its horns at humans and scorns them. The fable concludes by comparing this transformation to a country maid who, initially shy of a soldier, eventually becomes bold and proud to be with him, illustrating how custom conquers fear and shame.
Themes
Emotional Arc
fear to boldness
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables were popular in 18th-century England, often satirizing contemporary society and politics through animal allegories. The reference to 'red-coat' places it firmly in a British context.
Plot Beats (10)
- A young stag is caught in the woods and brought to a lord's home.
- The lord and a clown are pleased with the capture, but the lady begs for the stag's life, charmed by its appearance.
- Initially confined, the stag is terrified of humans and hides.
- Over time, it grows bolder, first observing from a safe distance.
- It begins to interact with human objects, like linen on clotheslines.
- The stag starts stealing food, such as a child's bread.
- It then actively follows servants, seeking to be fed.
- The stag becomes pushy, poking its nose into fists for meat and refusing to retreat when repulsed.
- Finally, it becomes aggressive, thrusting its horns at humans and openly scorning them.
- The fable draws a parallel to a country maid who, initially afraid of a soldier, gradually becomes bold, flirts, and eventually takes pride in being with him, illustrating how custom conquers fear and shame.
Characters
The Fawn ★ protagonist
A young, healthy stag, sleek-skinned and dappled with spots resembling ermine fur. Its build is agile and graceful, typical of a deer, with slender legs and a lean body. Initially timid, it grows bolder and more assertive.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its natural coat is its 'attire'.
Wants: Survival, comfort, food, overcoming its initial fear of humans.
Flaw: Its initial fear of humans, which it eventually overcomes to the point of becoming overly familiar.
Transforms from a terrified wild animal into a bold, domesticated, and even dominant creature that scorns its former fear of man.
Fearful, curious, adaptable, bold, assertive, mischievous.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young male deer, a stag, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. It has a sleek, rich brown coat speckled with lighter, ermine-like spots across its back and flanks. Its eyes are large, dark, and intelligent, showing a mix of curiosity and boldness. Its muzzle is soft and dark. It has developing antlers, initially with cords around them, later free. Its posture is confident and slightly assertive, with its head held high. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Lady ◆ supporting
A gentlewoman of the gentry or nobility, likely of a slender and refined build, consistent with her 'gentle' nature and social standing in 18th-century England.
Attire: Elegant attire befitting a lady of the house in 18th-century England. This would include a gown made of fine fabric like silk or brocade, possibly with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, perhaps in soft, pleasing colors. She might wear a lace cap or a simple, elegant coiffure.
Wants: To show mercy and protect the fawn's life.
Flaw: Her sentimentality might make her overly lenient.
Remains consistent; her initial act of kindness sets the stage for the fawn's domestication.
Gentle, compassionate, appreciative of beauty.
Image Prompt & Upload
A gentle adult woman of the English gentry from the 18th century, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a kind, soft face with light skin and a gentle expression. Her hair is powdered and elegantly styled, perhaps in soft curls or pinned up. She wears a formal gown of soft blue silk with lace trim at the cuffs and neckline, a fitted bodice, and a full skirt. Her hands are clasped gently in front of her. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Lord ◆ supporting
A man of authority and means, likely robust and well-fed, reflecting his status as a landowner or nobleman in 18th-century England.
Attire: Formal attire of an 18th-century English gentleman, such as a tailored coat (perhaps in wool or velvet), a waistcoat, breeches, and stockings. Colors might be rich but subdued, reflecting his status.
Wants: Initially, the satisfaction of a successful hunt; later, acceding to his wife's wishes.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a tendency to be swayed by his wife.
Remains consistent; his decision to spare the fawn is a pivotal moment.
Pleased, perhaps a bit proud of his catch, amenable to his wife's request.
Image Prompt & Upload
A distinguished adult English gentleman from the 18th century, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a broad, pleasant face with a satisfied expression. His hair is powdered white and tied back with a black ribbon. He wears a dark green velvet frock coat with brass buttons, a cream silk waistcoat embroidered with subtle patterns, white breeches, and dark stockings. He stands with a confident, upright posture. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Clown ○ minor
A common laborer or peasant, likely sturdy and weathered from outdoor work, consistent with his role in 18th-century rural England.
Attire: Practical, durable clothing of an 18th-century English peasant or laborer. This would include a coarse linen shirt, woolen breeches, a simple waistcoat, and sturdy shoes or boots. Colors would be earthy and muted.
Wants: To earn money for his labor.
Flaw: None explicitly shown.
Remains consistent; his role is brief and functional.
Content, motivated by monetary reward.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy adult English peasant man from the 18th century, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a weathered, simple face with a satisfied expression. His dark hair is short and practical. He wears a coarse cream linen shirt, a brown woolen waistcoat, dark grey breeches, and sturdy leather boots. He holds a silver coin in his right hand. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Country Maid ○ minor
A young, perhaps initially shy, woman from a rural background, likely of average build for her station in 18th-century England.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing of an 18th-century English country maid. This would include a linen or cotton gown, possibly with an apron, and sturdy shoes. Colors would be plain and functional.
Wants: To overcome fear, to engage in flirtation, to spread her 'conquering fame'.
Flaw: Initial shyness and fear.
Mirrors the fawn's arc, transforming from fearful to bold and confident in her interactions with the soldier.
Timid, curious, bold, proud, adaptable.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult English country maid from the 18th century, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. She has a pleasant, round face with a initially shy but evolving to a confident expression. Her light brown hair is neatly braided and pinned up. She wears a simple, long-sleeved cream linen dress with a blue checkered apron tied at the waist, and sturdy brown leather shoes. Her posture shifts from timid to confident, eventually with a proud, slight smile. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Red-Coat Soldier ○ minor
A soldier, likely fit and disciplined, with a striking uniform that attracts attention, consistent with an 18th-century British soldier.
Attire: The iconic 'red-coat' uniform of an 18th-century British soldier. This would include a bright red wool coat with contrasting lapels (e.g., white or blue), white breeches, a white waistcoat, and a tricorn hat. The 'martial lace' refers to the decorative braiding on the uniform.
Wants: To engage in social interaction, perhaps flirtation.
Flaw: None explicitly shown.
Remains consistent; his presence acts as a catalyst for the maid's change.
Charming, confident, perhaps a bit flirtatious.
Image Prompt & Upload
A young adult British soldier from the 18th century, standing upright, facing forward, full body visible from head to toe. He has a confident, charming face with light skin. His hair is powdered white and tied back in a queue. He wears a bright red wool regimental coat with white lapels and cuffs, adorned with intricate gold 'martial lace' braiding, a white waistcoat, white breeches, and black gaiters over his shoes. He wears a black tricorn hat. His posture is upright and disciplined. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Brake (Forest Edge)
A dense, wild thicket or undergrowth at the edge of a forest, where young deer might hide. It's a place of capture and wildness.
Mood: Wild, untamed, dangerous, a place of sudden capture.
The young stag is caught here by the clown.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dense, tangled undergrowth of hawthorn bushes and brambles at the edge of an ancient English oak forest. Sunlight filters in dappled patterns through the thick canopy, illuminating patches of mossy ground and fallen leaves. Exposed roots snake across the forest floor, and ferns grow in shaded pockets. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Lord's Estate Courtyard
An open, enclosed area within a large country estate, likely paved or graveled, where the stag is initially confined and begins to acclimate to human presence.
Mood: Initially fearful and confined, gradually becoming more familiar and bold.
The stag is first confined here, hiding from people, then gradually grows bolder, observing and eventually interacting with its surroundings and the servants.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sun-drenched, cobbled courtyard of a 17th-century English country estate. Tall, weathered red-brick walls with ivy climbing in places enclose the space, and a large wooden gate stands ajar in the background. Clotheslines are strung across the courtyard, with white linen drying gently in the breeze. The ground is uneven cobblestone, worn smooth in places. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Estate Interior/Servants' Quarters
The interior spaces of the estate, particularly areas where servants work and where food is prepared or stored, and where the 'little master' might be. The stag eventually ventures inside.
Mood: Initially a place of curiosity and forbidden treats, later a place of bold interaction and even playful aggression.
The stag steals bread, follows servants for food, and eventually pokes its nose into fists, becoming completely unafraid of humans.
Image Prompt & Upload
A rustic, bustling kitchen within a large English country house, with rough-hewn timber beams across the ceiling and a large stone hearth. A wooden table is laden with simple fare, and shelves line the walls, holding earthenware pots and pewter plates. Warm, natural light streams in through a small, leaded-pane window, illuminating dust motes in the air. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
