FABLE LIII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once there was a Leopard. He had very pretty spots. He loved his spots very much. He thought his spots were the best. No other had spots like his. He felt very special. He looked at his spots often. He was very proud of his pretty skin. He showed his spots to all. He liked to be seen. He thought he was the most pretty one. He liked his dark spots. He liked his yellow fur.
Leopard thought he was better than all. His spots made him special. He looked at others. They did not have pretty spots. Leopard felt he was the best. He was proud of his looks. He thought he was the most special one. Others were not like him. He had such a pretty coat. He was very happy with himself. He thought about his spots all day. He really liked his spots. He did not think others were as good. He thought only about his outside.
Leopard was not kind to others. He walked with his head up. He did not play with them. He looked down at them. He thought they were not good enough. He was too proud for them. He did not talk to them much. He always thought of himself. He only liked his own looks. He did not care about others. He was not a good friend. He just showed his spots. He felt he was better. He did not share his time.
A clever Fox saw Leopard. Fox watched Leopard each day. Fox saw Leopard's proud ways. Fox saw Leopard was not kind. Fox thought about this much. Fox knew it was not right. Fox felt a little sad. Fox decided to speak to Leopard. Fox was brave and walked up. Fox wanted to help Leopard. Fox had a good idea. Fox wanted to share it. Fox was a wise one.
Fox came to Leopard. Fox looked at Leopard. Fox said, "Your spots are pretty." Leopard smiled. Fox said, "Looks are not all." Leopard looked at Fox. Fox said, "Being good inside is best." Fox said, "A kind heart is good." Fox said, "Being nice is better." Fox said, "Your pretty spots are outside." Fox said, "Your good heart is inside." Fox said, "People like good hearts more." Fox said, "Being kind is true goodness." Fox said, "Kindness is best inside." Fox said, "Better than pretty outside." Leopard listened to Fox. Leopard thought about this.
Original Story
FABLE LIII.
THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.
The Leopard one day took it into his head to value himself upon the great variety and beauty of his spots; and, truly, he saw no reason why even the lion should take place of him, since he could not show so beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts of the forests, he treated them all, without distinction, in the most haughty and disdainful manner. But the Fox, being among them, went up to him with a great deal of spirit and resolution, and told him that he was mistaken in the value he was pleased to set upon himself, since people of judgment were not used to form their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but by considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind was stored within.
MORAL.
Haughty beauty is an ungraceful thing. True beauty is always found in a setting of modesty, and then only appears the bright jewel that it is.
THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.
Story DNA
Moral
Haughty beauty is an ungraceful thing; true beauty is found in modesty and inner qualities.
Plot Summary
A Leopard, exceedingly proud of his beautiful spots, believes himself superior to all other wild beasts and treats them with disdain. The wise Fox approaches him and explains that true merit is judged not by outward appearance but by the good qualities and endowments of the mind.
Themes
Emotional Arc
pride to mild rebuke
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often served as moral instruction, particularly for children, using animal characters to simplify complex human behaviors.
Plot Beats (5)
- The Leopard is vain about his beautiful spots.
- He believes his appearance makes him superior to all other animals, even the lion.
- He treats all other wild beasts with haughty disdain.
- The Fox, observing this, decides to confront the Leopard.
- The Fox tells the Leopard that true judgment of merit comes from inner qualities, not outward show.
Characters
The Leopard
A large, muscular leopard with a sleek, powerful build. His coat is a vibrant tawny yellow, covered in numerous distinct, dark rosettes (spots) that are irregular in shape and size, creating a striking pattern. His movements are fluid and self-assured.
Attire: His natural fur coat, featuring a rich tawny yellow base with intricate, dark rosette patterns.
Wants: To be admired and recognized for his physical beauty, particularly his spots, and to assert his superiority over other animals based on this appearance.
Flaw: Excessive vanity and superficiality, leading him to undervalue inner qualities and wisdom.
He begins the story with extreme vanity and disdain for others. He is challenged by the Fox, implying a potential, though not explicitly shown, shift towards considering inner merit.
Vain, haughty, disdainful, self-important, superficial.
The Fox
A medium-sized, agile fox with a slender build. His fur is a rich reddish-brown, particularly vibrant on his back and tail, fading to lighter cream or white on his belly and chest. He has a bushy tail with a white tip.
Attire: His natural fur coat, a rich reddish-brown with lighter underparts and a distinctive white-tipped bushy tail.
Wants: To challenge the Leopard's superficial vanity and impart a lesson about true merit being found in inner qualities, not outward appearance.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, but perhaps a tendency to be overly direct, which could put him in danger with more volatile characters.
He acts as the voice of reason and wisdom, delivering a moral lesson. His character remains consistent as a wise figure.
Spirited, resolute, wise, discerning, courageous, direct.
Locations
The Forest Clearing
A sun-dappled clearing within a dense forest where the Leopard boasts to other animals. The ground is likely covered with dry leaves and sparse undergrowth, surrounded by tall, ancient trees.
Mood: Initially boastful and tense due to the Leopard's arrogance, then shifts to a more confrontational but wise tone with the Fox's intervention.
The Leopard gathers the other wild beasts to boast about his spots, and the Fox confronts him.