FABLE LXV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Long ago, Ben was a kind shepherd. He had many soft sheep. He had a big dog. His name was Guard Dog Max. Ben trusted Max very much. Max was a strong dog. Max watched the sheep well. Ben thought Max was loyal. He loved his dog. He believed Max was good.
Shepherd Ben was kind. He gave Max good food. Max ate tasty treats. He ate sweet curds. He ate fresh whey. Sometimes he got bread. Ben wanted Max to be happy. Ben wanted Max to work well. Max lived a good life.
Shepherd Ben went away. He left the sheep alone. Max watched the sheep. This was Max's big job. Ben trusted Max very much. Max must keep them safe. Max must guard the sheep. Ben went to the market. Max was in charge then.
Ben went away. Max was alone with the sheep. Max did a bad thing. He did not guard them. He hurt the soft sheep. He ate some sheep. Max was not a good dog. He was a bad dog. He ate the sheep. This was a secret. Max was very sly. He ate them when Ben was gone. He did this many times.
Shepherd Ben came back. He saw the hurt sheep. He saw the missing sheep. Ben was very sad. He knew Max did this. Max was not loyal. Max was not a friend. Ben felt very angry. Max must leave the farm. Max cannot stay here now. Max must go away forever. Ben said, "Go away, Max! Go!"
Max was scared. He did not want to go. Max spoke to Ben. "Why must I leave?" he asked. "I did little wrong." "Wolf is always bad." "Wolf eats your sheep." "You keep the Wolf." "Why punish me?" Max asked. "I am your dog. I am your friend." "Wolf is your enemy." "He is always bad." "Why punish me, not Wolf?"
Shepherd Ben looked at Max. Ben was very sad. "The Wolf is an enemy," Ben said. "I know the Wolf is bad." "I guard against the Wolf." "But you were my friend." "I trusted you, Max." "I gave you good food." "You hurt my sheep." "You broke my trust." "This is worse than the Wolf." "Friend hurting is worse." "Enemy hurt is not." "An enemy is always an enemy." "A friend should be kind." Max walked away. He left the farm forever.
Original Story
FABLE LXV.
THE SHEEP-BITER AND SHEPHERD.
A certain Shepherd had a Dog, upon whose fidelity he relied very much; for whenever he had occasion to be absent himself, he committed the care and tuition of the flock to the charge of his Dog; and, to encourage him to do his duty cheerfully, he fed him constantly with sweet curds and whey, and sometimes threw him a crust or two. Yet, notwithstanding this, no sooner was his back turned, but the treacherous cur fell foul of the flock, and devoured the sheep, instead of guarding and defending them. The Shepherd being informed of this, was resolved to hang him; and the Dog, when the rope was about his neck, and he was just going to be hung, began to expostulate with his master, asking him, why he was so unmercifully bent against him, who was his own servant and creature, and had only committed two or three crimes, and why he did not rather execute vengeance upon the Wolf, who was a constant and declared enemy? "Nay," replies the Shepherd, "it is for that very reason that I think you ten times more deserving of death than he. From him I expected nothing but hostilities; and therefore could guard against him. You I depended upon as a just and faithful servant, and fed and encouraged you accordingly; and therefore your treachery is the more notorious, and your ingratitude the more unpardonable."
MORAL.
A known enemy is better than a treacherous friend.
Story DNA
Moral
A known enemy is better than a treacherous friend.
Plot Summary
A shepherd relies heavily on his dog to guard his flock, feeding him well as a reward for his loyalty. However, the dog betrays this trust by devouring the sheep when the shepherd is absent. Upon discovering the treachery, the shepherd decides to hang the dog. The dog tries to argue that he is less deserving of punishment than a wolf, but the shepherd explains that the dog's betrayal as a trusted servant is far more egregious and unforgivable than the actions of a known enemy.
Themes
Emotional Arc
trust to betrayal to justice
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect societal values and moral codes, using animal characters to illustrate human behaviors and consequences.
Plot Beats (7)
- A shepherd owns a dog he trusts completely to guard his flock.
- The shepherd feeds the dog well with curds, whey, and crusts to encourage his loyalty.
- Whenever the shepherd is absent, he leaves the dog in charge of the sheep.
- Despite the trust and good treatment, the dog secretly attacks and devours the sheep.
- The shepherd discovers the dog's treachery and decides to hang him.
- As the dog is about to be hanged, he argues with the shepherd, asking why he's being punished for a few crimes while the wolf, a constant enemy, goes free.
- The shepherd retorts that the dog's betrayal is far worse than a wolf's attack because the wolf is a known enemy, but the dog was a trusted servant whose ingratitude is unforgivable.
Characters
The Shepherd
A man of average height and sturdy build, accustomed to outdoor life. His hands are likely calloused from working with sheep and tools. His face is weathered by sun and wind, suggesting a life spent outdoors.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing typical of a shepherd in a European pastoral setting, possibly 17th-18th century. He wears a coarse wool tunic or shirt, perhaps a leather vest, and sturdy breeches. His legs are wrapped in rough cloth or he wears thick stockings, and he has practical leather boots. A wide-brimmed felt hat protects him from the sun.
Wants: To protect his flock and ensure their well-being, relying on the loyalty of his dog.
Flaw: His initial trust in the Dog makes him vulnerable to betrayal.
He learns a harsh lesson about misplaced trust and becomes more wary of those he depends on, understanding that internal threats can be more dangerous than external ones.
Trusting, practical, vigilant, just, stern.
The Dog
A large, powerful sheepdog, likely a breed known for guarding, but with a deceptive appearance of loyalty. Its fur is shaggy and thick, perhaps a mix of white and grey or brown, suggesting a working breed.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To satisfy its own hunger and desires, even at the expense of its duty and the trust placed in it.
Flaw: Its inherent greed and lack of loyalty, leading to its downfall.
Revealed as a betrayer, it faces the ultimate consequence of its actions, learning that ingratitude and treachery are unforgivable.
Treacherous, ungrateful, cunning, self-serving, deceitful.
The Sheep
Soft, fluffy white wool covering a plump body. They are typically small to medium-sized, with slender legs and cloven hooves.
Attire: None, as they are animals.
Wants: To graze peacefully and remain safe within the flock.
Flaw: Their defenselessness and reliance on a guardian.
They serve as the victims of the Dog's treachery, highlighting the severity of the betrayal.
Docile, vulnerable, trusting (of their shepherd), easily preyed upon.
The Wolf
Lean, powerful, and wild, with grey or brownish-grey fur. It has a muscular build, suited for hunting, and sharp teeth.
Attire: None, as it is an animal.
Wants: To hunt and feed itself, preying on vulnerable animals like sheep.
Flaw: Its predictable nature as an enemy, allowing for defensive measures.
Remains an unchanging symbol of external threat, contrasted with the internal betrayal of the Dog.
Predatory, cunning, openly hostile, a known enemy.
Locations
Shepherd's Pasture
A wide, open pasture, likely in a temperate European climate, where sheep graze. The ground is covered in grass, possibly with some scattered rocks or low-lying shrubs. The air is clear and open, typical of grazing land.
Mood: Initially peaceful and pastoral, later tense due to the dog's treachery.
The primary setting where the dog is entrusted with the flock and where its betrayal occurs.
Execution Spot
A specific, somber spot within or near the pasture where the shepherd intends to hang the dog. It's a stark, exposed area, emphasizing the gravity of the impending punishment.
Mood: Grim, tense, and sorrowful.
The climax of the fable, where the dog is about to be executed and expostulates with the shepherd.