FABLE XXXII
by John Gay
The Two Owls and the Sparrow
In a big, green tree lived two owls. Their home was a hole in the tree. Their names were Big Owl and Other Owl. They were very proud owls. They thought they were the best. "Hoo, hoo. We are so smart," said Big Owl. "Yes," said Other Owl. "We are very smart." The two owls sat still on their branch. They were quiet and sad.
Big Owl looked at the dark sky. The moon was bright. "Long ago, things were good," he said. "People thought we were smart. People said we were great birds. They saw us sit high in the trees. They would look up and talk. They would say, "Look at the wise owls!" They thought we were special. They thought we were the best birds.
Other Owl nodded his big head. "Yes, they did," he said. "You are right." He blinked his big eyes. "People loved us. They put our pictures on hats. They put them on coins, too. It was because we are smart. It was because we look wise."
Big Owl sighed a sad "hoo, hoo." "But now, things are not the same," he said. "No one says we are smart now. No one looks up at us. A small bird is liked more." Other Owl looked down. "Yes," he said sadly. "They like the sparrow more. The sparrow is small and fast. We are big and slow."
A small sparrow was in the same tree. He sat on a branch above them. He heard the sad owls talk. He felt sorry for them. He flew down to their branch. "Hello, Owls!" chirped the sparrow. "Why are you so sad? You should be happy!"
The owls told the sparrow their sad story. The sparrow listened. Then he spoke. "You were on hats long ago," he said. "This is true. But it was not because you are smart. It was because you look smart. You look big and quiet. You look like you think big thoughts. But you do not help. You just sit there."
"Do you want people to like you?" asked the sparrow. "Do you want them to see you are smart? Then do smart things. You must be helpful. Don't just sit and look proud. Fly to the farmer's barn. You can catch mice there. The farmer needs your help. Go and help him. Being helpful is the smartest thing."
Original Story
FABLE XXXII.
The Owls and Sparrow.
Two pompous owls together sat In the solemnity of chat:
"Respect to wisdom, all is fled; The Grecian sages all are dead. They gave our fathers honour due; The dignity of owls they knew. Upon our merit they conferred The title of 'The Athenian bird.'"
"Brother, they did; you reason right," Answered his chum with winking sight. "For Athens was the seat of learning. Academicians *were* discerning. They placed us on Minerva's helm, And strove with rank to overwhelm Our worth, which now is quite neglected,— Ay, a cock-sparrow's more respected."
A sparrow who was passing by, And heard the speech, made this reply: "Old chaps, you were at Athens graced, And on Minerva's helm were placed, And we all know the reason why. Of all the birds beneath the sky, They chose you forth the lot to show What they desired their schools to know, The emptiness of solemn looks. You teach it better than the books. Would you be thought of wit and worth, And be respected upon earth, Humble your arrogance of mind, Go to the farmers, and there find A welcome—foe to mice and rats. And live the rivals of the cats."
Moral of the Story
True wisdom and worth are found in useful action and humility, not in pompous self-importance or inherited reputation.
Characters
First Owl ★ protagonist
A large, plump owl, likely a tawny or barn owl given the European context of fables. Its body is covered in soft, mottled brown and grey feathers, providing excellent camouflage. It has a broad, rounded head and a stocky build, suggesting a sedentary lifestyle.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its natural plumage is its 'attire'.
Wants: To be recognized and respected for its perceived wisdom and historical significance, to restore the 'dignity of owls'.
Flaw: Overwhelming arrogance and a refusal to acknowledge its own shortcomings or the true reasons for its past accolades.
Remains unchanged, clinging to its misguided pride despite the sparrow's direct critique.
Pompous, arrogant, self-important, nostalgic for past glory, resentful of current lack of respect.
Second Owl ◆ supporting
Similar in appearance to the First Owl, a large, plump owl with mottled brown and grey feathers. It shares the characteristic broad, rounded head and stocky build, indicating a similar lifestyle.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its natural plumage is its 'attire'.
Wants: To reinforce the First Owl's belief in their species' past glory and inherent wisdom, to bask in shared self-importance.
Flaw: Blind agreement with the First Owl's flawed logic, equally susceptible to arrogance.
Remains unchanged, reinforcing the First Owl's misguided pride.
Pompous, agreeable to the First Owl's views, equally arrogant, self-congratulatory, nostalgic.
The Sparrow ◆ supporting
A small, agile bird, typical of a house sparrow. Its body is compact and covered in brown and grey streaked feathers, with a lighter underside. It is quick and nimble in its movements.
Attire: None, as it is an animal. Its natural plumage is its 'attire'.
Wants: To correct the owls' arrogance and misguided self-perception, to offer practical advice for gaining true respect.
Flaw: Perhaps a bit too blunt, which might be perceived as rude by some.
Serves as the voice of reason and truth, does not undergo a personal arc but delivers the fable's moral.
Blunt, direct, observant, practical, unafraid to speak its mind, possesses common sense.
Locations
Perch of the Pompous Owls
A quiet, elevated perch, likely a branch or ruin, where two owls are engaged in a solemn conversation, suggesting a place of contemplation or observation.
Mood: somber, self-important, slightly melancholic
The two owls are lamenting their lost prestige and discussing the perceived decline of respect for wisdom.
Path of the Passing Sparrow
An open area, perhaps near fields or a farm, where a sparrow is flying by and overhears the owls' conversation, implying proximity to human activity.
Mood: lively, observant, practical
A sparrow, flying past, overhears the owls' self-important discussion and interjects with a dose of practical advice.
Story DNA
Moral
True wisdom and worth are found in useful action and humility, not in pompous self-importance or inherited reputation.
Plot Summary
Two arrogant owls lament that their ancient honor and perceived wisdom are no longer respected, complaining that even a sparrow is held in higher regard. A passing sparrow overhears their self-pitying conversation and interjects. The sparrow reveals that the Athenians honored owls not for their wisdom, but as a symbol of empty solemnity. He advises the owls to humble their arrogance and find true worth by being useful, like hunting mice and rats for farmers, rather than relying on a false reputation.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to mild rebuke
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables often satirized contemporary society and politics, using animal characters to convey moral lessons in an accessible way. The reference to Athens and Minerva connects to classical learning, which was highly valued in 18th-century intellectual circles.
Plot Beats (7)
- Two self-important owls are conversing, lamenting the decline of respect for wisdom.
- The first owl recalls how ancient Greeks honored owls as 'The Athenian bird,' recognizing their dignity.
- The second owl agrees, noting that Athens, the seat of learning, even placed owls on Minerva's helm.
- He complains that despite their historical honor, their worth is now neglected, and even a sparrow is more respected.
- A sparrow, overhearing their conversation, interjects.
- The sparrow explains that the Athenians honored owls not for wisdom, but to symbolize 'the emptiness of solemn looks' – a lesson for their schools.
- The sparrow advises the owls that if they truly want respect, they should humble their arrogance and become useful, like hunting mice and rats for farmers.
