FABLE XXVI
by John Gay
The Good Dog and the Tricky Dog
This is a story about two dogs. One dog was big and good. His name was Trusty. One dog was small and tricky. His name was Scamp. Scamp told untrue stories each day. He made the other friends sad. He was a very tricky dog.
One dark night, two people came. They were very quiet. They went to the big house. They did not want to be seen. They wanted to get inside. They were tricky people.
The tricky people saw the small dog. It was Scamp. They smiled a tricky smile. They gave Scamp some good food. Scamp was hungry. He ate all the food. He wagged his tail. He did not bark at all.
Then the people saw the big dog. The big dog was Trusty. He stood tall and strong. They offered him food, too. Trusty did not want their food. He was a good dog. He knew his job. He barked a very big bark. BARK! BARK! BARK!
The noise woke up The Man. Scamp ran to The Man first. He wanted to make trouble. He told a very big lie. He said, "Trusty was bad. He barked for no reason."
The Man was very angry. He saw Trusty barking. He believed the tricky dog. He did not listen to Trusty. He only listened to Scamp. "You are a bad dog!" he said. "You make too much noise. You must go away now."
Trusty was a very good dog. He was so sad. His tail went down. His ears went down. He looked at The Man. He said, "I was a good dog. Please, please listen to me."
The Man stopped. He looked at both dogs. Scamp told more bad stories. He yapped and yapped. "Trusty is always bad," he said. "He is a very noisy dog." It was a new lie.
Then Trusty spoke with his big voice. His voice was deep and true. "The tricky people are here," he said. "They gave Scamp food. Scamp was quiet." He looked at The Man. "I did not take the food. I protect our house. That is my job."
The Man looked outside. He saw the tricky people run away. Now he knew it all. Trusty is a good dog. He is a brave dog. Scamp is a tricky dog. At last, The Man knew the truth.
The Man pointed to the door. "Scamp must go away now," he said. Scamp, the tricky dog, had to leave. He was not a good friend. Trusty was a very good dog. He stayed at the house. The Man gave him a big hug. He patted Trusty's head. Trusty was a very happy dog.
Original Story
FABLE XXVI.
Cur and Mastiff.
A sneaking cur caused much disaster By pandering scandal for his master. The hound was beaten, mastiff chidden, Puss in disgrace, and pug forbidden. Each of his dearest chum grew shy. And none could tell a reason why. Burglars to rob the house laid wait. Betty in love, undid the gate; The cur was won by dint of meat; Remained the mastiff dog to cheat. The mastiff dog refused the bribe, And tore the hand of one beside. The cur off with the tidings ran, And told how he had bit a man. The master said: "Hanged he shall be!" They dragged poor Trusty to the tree: He met his master, and averred That he had been condemned unheard.
His lord then sat to hear the trial: The mastiff pleaded his denial; The cur then, special pleading, stated The case—unduly aggravated.
When evidence on either side Concluded was, the dog replied, And ended with this peroration: "Trust not to curs of basest station, With itching palms—a plot is laid, And man and master are betrayed."
The mastiff had with truth harangued: The truth appeared; the cur was hanged.
Moral of the Story
Do not trust those of low character who seek to profit from deceit, as they will betray both man and master.
Characters
The Cur ⚔ antagonist
A small, scruffy dog, noticeably smaller and less robust than a mastiff. His fur is likely matted and dull, suggesting a lack of care or a naturally unkempt appearance. He moves with a furtive, slinking posture.
Attire: None, as he is a dog.
Wants: To gain favor and attention, possibly out of insecurity or a desire for easy rewards (like meat), even if it means betraying others.
Flaw: Cowardice and a desire for personal gain, which makes him easily bribed and prone to lying.
Starts as a mischievous slanderer, escalates to betraying his master for a bribe, and ultimately faces justice by being hanged for his deceit.
Mischievous, deceitful, cowardly, self-serving, treacherous.
The Mastiff (Trusty) ★ protagonist
A large, powerful dog, robust and imposing, indicative of a guard dog. His build is strong and muscular, suggesting loyalty and capability in his role.
Attire: None, as he is a dog.
Wants: To protect his master and the household, upholding his duty as a guard dog.
Flaw: His trust in the justice system and his master, which initially leads him to be condemned unheard.
Initially condemned unjustly due to false accusations, he successfully defends himself by speaking the truth, leading to his vindication and the exposure of the real culprit.
Loyal, honest, brave, steadfast, principled.
The Master ◆ supporting
A man of authority, likely of a comfortable social standing given he owns a household with multiple dogs and servants. His build is probably average to sturdy, reflecting a man who manages his estate.
Attire: Period-appropriate English gentry attire, perhaps a simple but well-made wool coat in a dark color, a linen shirt, and breeches. Practical but respectable.
Wants: To maintain order and justice within his household, and to protect his property.
Flaw: Easily swayed by initial accusations and gossip, leading to hasty judgments.
Starts by making a hasty judgment based on false information, but learns to listen to all sides and ultimately delivers a just verdict.
Initially gullible, prone to quick judgment, but ultimately fair, just, and willing to hear both sides.
Betty ○ minor
A young housemaid, likely of slender build, as is common for servants who perform physical tasks.
Attire: Simple 18th-century English servant's attire: a plain linen or cotton gown, possibly with an apron and a cap.
Wants: Her romantic feelings, which lead her to inadvertently aid the burglars.
Flaw: Her infatuation, which makes her careless with her duties and the security of the house.
Her actions set the stage for the burglary attempt, but she does not undergo a personal arc.
Distracted, naive, easily swayed by romantic feelings.
Locations
The Master's Estate - Exterior
The exterior grounds of a wealthy English estate, likely featuring a well-maintained garden or yard adjacent to the main house. The gate is a prominent feature, suggesting a boundary to the property.
Mood: Tense, vulnerable, quiet before the storm
Betty, in love, opens the gate for burglars, and the cur is bribed while the mastiff refuses.
The Master's Estate - Trial Ground
An open area on the estate where the master holds a trial for the mastiff. This could be a courtyard, a specific spot in the garden, or a clearing, providing enough space for the master and the dogs.
Mood: Somber, judicial, tense with anticipation
The master presides over the trial of the mastiff and the cur, where the truth is revealed.
Story DNA
Moral
Do not trust those of low character who seek to profit from deceit, as they will betray both man and master.
Plot Summary
A mischievous cur causes discord in a household by spreading rumors. When burglars attempt to rob the house, they bribe the cur, but the loyal mastiff refuses and attacks them. The cur then falsely accuses the mastiff of the attack, leading the master to condemn the mastiff without a hearing. The mastiff demands a trial, where he eloquently exposes the cur's treachery, leading to the cur's execution and the mastiff's exoneration.
Themes
Emotional Arc
injustice to justice
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables often satirized contemporary society and politics, using animal characters to comment on human behavior and morality.
Plot Beats (11)
- A cur causes chaos in the household by spreading false rumors, making all the animals distrustful.
- Burglars, aided by a servant, enter the house to rob it.
- The burglars bribe the cur with meat to ensure his cooperation.
- The burglars attempt to bribe the mastiff, but he remains loyal and attacks one of them.
- The cur runs to the master and falsely claims that he bit a man, implying it was the mastiff.
- The master, without a hearing, condemns the mastiff to be hanged.
- The mastiff protests his innocence and demands a trial.
- During the trial, the cur presents an 'aggravated' version of events against the mastiff.
- The mastiff delivers a powerful speech, revealing the cur's betrayal and warning against trusting such characters.
- The truth becomes clear to the master.
- The cur is hanged for his deceit, and the mastiff is cleared.
