Aesop's Fables

Aesop's Fables

Presentation

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Lesson Standards

7.1(A)

7.2(B)

7.2(C)

7.3

7.5(C)

7.5(E)

7.5(F)

7.5(G)

7.5(I)

7.6(A)

7.6(D)

7.8(A)

What will our lesson look like?

Today, we will delve into the timeless wisdom of Aesop's Fables, exploring the moral lessons embedded within these classic tales. By examining the structure, language, and themes of these fables, we aim to understand their enduring relevance in today's world.

I will express my understanding of moral lessons using academic language and vocabulary.

Success Criteria

• Students will identify and explain the moral lessons of at least two Aesop's Fables.
• Students will actively participate in collaborative discussions and activities.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of academic vocabulary related to fables and moral lessons.

Do Now

• Read the following quote
• "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." - The Lion and the Mouse
• What do you think this means?

Introduction

There are facts and fictions surrounding the person known as Aesop. Once an enslaved African who was freed for his wit and intelligence—and reportedly thrown to his death over a precipice by the people of Delphi—Aesop is credited with creating hundreds of fables, though none of his actual writings survive. What can't be disputed is that the short, charming tales of wisdom and folly have left an indelible mark on Western culture. In this selection of seven fables, not all have explicit morals; some you have to figure out. *Watch StudySync Video

fervently adverb in a way that shows strong feeling or emotion

deprive verb to deny someone or something from having or using something

derision noun the state of being ridiculed or mocked; the use of ridicule or mockery to show contempt

Vocabulary

miser noun a stingy person; someone who hates to spend money

perish verb to die; to be destroyed

resolve verb to make a firm decision or find a solution to

More vocabulary

Genre

Don't be confused by the short length of the fables. You should understand that the fables are meant to be quick and simple to efficiently teach lessons.

Fables are short stories that teach lessons and often feature talking animals.

What is a fable?

deprive verb to deny someone or something from having or using something

fervently adverb in a way that shows strong feeling or emotion

derision noun the state of being ridiculed or mocked; the use of ridicule or mockery to show contempt

Vocabulary

miser noun a stingy person; someone who hates to spend money

perish verb to die; to be destroyed

resolve verb to make a firm decision or find a solution to

More Vocabulary

Summary

Aesop composed hundreds of moral fables. The seven presented here touch upon various themes, such as wisdom, greed, and sloth. In the first fable, a fox jumps into a hole to eat food left behind by shepherds, and then finds that he’s too fat to get out. In the second fable, a swarm of flies jump upon an overturned jar of honey, and similar to the fox, they end up stuck. Two other fables deal explicitly with man’s greed for gold. In one, a farmer and his wife cut open a hen that lays golden eggs in order to find the gold she contains inside, but they find nothing. In another, a miser buries his gold in the ground and visits it daily. After it is stolen, a neighbor suggests that he bury a rock, pointing out that it would have the same value as buried gold—nothing. Although Aesop’s fables are simple on the surface, they express great wisdom.

The Swollen Fox

The Flies and the honey pot

The Hen and the Golden Eggs

The Miser

A MISER sold all that he had and bought a lump of gold, which he buried in a hole in the ground by the side of an old wall and went to look at daily. One of his workmen observed his frequent visits to the spot and decided to watch his movements. He soon discovered the secret of the hidden treasure, and digging down, came to the lump of gold, and stole it. The Miser, on his next visit, found the hole empty and began to tear his hair and to make loud lamentations. A neighbor, seeing him overcome with grief and learning the cause, said, "Pray do not grieve so; but go and take a stone, and place it in the hole, and fancy that the gold is still lying there. It will do you quite the same service; for when the gold was there, you had it not, as you did not make the slightest use of it."

The Fox and the Woodcutter

The Ants and the Grasshopper

The Wolf In Sheep's Clothing

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