FABLE XXXIV
by John Gay
The Nosy Dog
This is a story about a big dog. His name was Max. Max was a very nosy dog.
Max loved to join other dogs. When dogs played with a ball, Max joined. When dogs ran in the park, Max joined. He always wanted to be in the game. He thought he was a helpful dog. But he was a nosy dog.
Max was not a quiet dog. He was a very loud dog. He was also a very fast dog. He ran very fast. He was proud of his loud bark. He was proud of his fast legs.
One day Max was in his yard. He heard a loud noise. Two dogs were playing a game. They were barking. Their barks were very loud. They sounded very happy.
Max was happy. He wanted to join the game. He ran out of his yard. He ran down the street. He ran very, very fast. He wanted to play now.
The First Owner came out of his house. He saw Max near his dog. The owner was not happy. He looked at Max. He spoke in a loud voice. "Go away, nosy dog!" he said. "Let them play their game!"
Then the Second Owner came out. He came from his house. He saw Max with the other dogs. He was angry too. "This is not your game," he said. "You go home now. Go home!"
The owners were mad at Max. The First Owner took his dog. The Second Owner took his dog. They both looked at Max. They pointed a finger at him. "Go away!" they shouted. Max was not happy. He felt very sad.
The two other dogs stopped playing. They stood still and watched Max. Max walked away. His head was down low. His tail was down low. He did not run fast now. He walked very slowly. He was a very sad dog.
Max walked home. His head was down. He was a sad dog. He was not a nosy dog anymore.
Original Story
FABLE XXXIV.
The Mastiff.
Those who in quarrels interpose Must often wipe a bloody nose.
A mastiff of true English mood Loved fighting better than his food. When dogs were snarling o'er a bone He wished to make their war his own; And often found (where two contend) To interpose, obtained his end: The scars of honour seamed his face; He deemed his limp endued with grace.
Once on a time he heard afar Two dogs contend with noisy jar; Away he scoured to lay about him, Resolved no fray should be without him. Forth from the yard—which was a tanner's— The master rushed to teach him manners; And with the cudgel tanned his hide, And bullied him with words beside. Forth from another yard—a butcher's— The master rushed—his name was Mutchers— "Why, who the deuce are you?" he cried: "Why do you interfere? Bankside Has, at the Bull-pit, seen and known, And Hockleyhole and Marry-bone, That when we go to work we mean it— Why should you come and intervene it?" So said, they dragged the dogs asunder, And kicks and clubs fell down like thunder. And parted now, and freed from danger, The curs beheld the meddling stranger, And where their masters whacked they hurried, And master mastiff he was "worried."
Moral of the Story
Those who interfere in others' quarrels often suffer for it.
Characters
The Mastiff ★ protagonist
A large, powerful mastiff with a muscular build, heavy bone structure, and a broad chest. His coat is likely a fawn or brindle color, typical of the breed. His face is heavily scarred from numerous fights, giving him a grizzled, battle-hardened appearance. He has a noticeable limp, which he carries with a sense of pride.
Attire: None, as he is a dog.
Wants: To involve himself in any conflict he perceives, driven by an innate love for fighting and a desire to assert dominance.
Flaw: His inability to resist interfering in others' quarrels, leading him into unnecessary trouble and harm.
He begins as a proud, meddling fighter who believes his intervention always yields success. By the end, he is 'worried' and beaten, learning (presumably) the hard lesson that interposing in others' quarrels can lead to personal suffering.
Aggressive, meddlesome, proud, courageous, eager for conflict, interventionist.
The Tanner ◆ supporting
A sturdy, working-class man, likely of average height and build, with hands hardened by his trade. His skin might be weathered from outdoor work. Given his profession, he would likely be robust and capable of wielding a cudgel effectively.
Attire: Practical, durable working clothes typical of an 18th-century English tanner: a coarse linen or wool tunic, sturdy breeches, and perhaps a leather apron stained from his trade. His shoes would be practical, heavy leather boots.
Wants: To maintain order in his yard and discipline his dog for its meddling behavior.
Flaw: His quick temper and reliance on physical punishment.
Remains consistent as a disciplinary figure.
Authoritative, disciplinary, practical, quick to anger when provoked.
Mutchers ◆ supporting
A robust, strong man, likely with a build indicative of his profession as a butcher. He would be capable of physical exertion, perhaps with broad shoulders and strong arms. His appearance would be practical and unrefined.
Attire: Practical, blood-stained working clothes typical of an 18th-century English butcher: a heavy linen smock or tunic, sturdy breeches, and a thick leather apron. His shoes would be heavy, practical boots.
Wants: To protect his own dogs and assert his authority over his property, and to challenge anyone who interferes in his affairs.
Flaw: His quick temper and willingness to resort to violence.
Remains consistent as an aggressive and territorial figure.
Aggressive, territorial, indignant, direct, physically forceful.
Locations
Tanner's Yard
A working yard belonging to a tanner, likely with animal hides drying, vats, and the distinct smell of tanning chemicals. It's a place of industry and rough activity.
Mood: Gritty, industrial, potentially chaotic during a dog fight.
The mastiff rushes into this yard to break up a fight, only to be beaten by the tanner.
Butcher's Yard
A working yard adjacent to a butcher's shop, likely with bloodstains, meat scraps, and the tools of the trade. It's another place of rough, practical work.
Mood: Gritty, visceral, potentially chaotic during a dog fight.
The mastiff is further confronted by the butcher from this yard, who also intervenes with violence.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who interfere in others' quarrels often suffer for it.
Plot Summary
A mastiff, proud of his fighting prowess and habit of intervening in others' quarrels, rushes to join a fight between two dogs. However, instead of glory, he is severely beaten by the dogs' masters, a tanner and a butcher, who are angered by his interference. The mastiff learns a painful lesson about the consequences of meddling, as the original combatants watch him suffer.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to humility
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables often satirized contemporary society and politics, using animal characters to comment on human behavior. Dog fighting was a popular, though brutal, pastime in his era.
Plot Beats (8)
- A mastiff is introduced as a dog who loves fighting and frequently intervenes in others' disputes.
- He views his scars and limp as marks of honor from his meddling.
- One day, he hears two dogs fighting loudly in the distance.
- He eagerly rushes towards the sound, determined to join the conflict.
- The tanner, owner of one of the fighting dogs, emerges from his yard and beats the mastiff with a cudgel.
- The butcher, owner of the other dog, also comes out, questions the mastiff's interference, and joins in the beating.
- The masters separate their own dogs while continuing to kick and club the mastiff.
- The original fighting dogs, now safe, observe the mastiff being severely punished by the masters.
