Aesop

The Ass and His Driver

Summary

This story is a fable about an Ass that was being led along a road and suddenly decided to run toward a cliff’s edge. His owner, trying to prevent disaster, grabbed the Ass by the tail to pull him back to safety. Despite his efforts, the Ass continued to move toward the precipice, leading the owner to eventually release him, stating a moral lesson that if the Ass wants to go, he should face the consequences of his choices. The fable highlights themes of stubbornness and the natural consequences of one’s actions, illustrating the idea that sometimes, individuals are determined to follow a path regardless of advice or intervention, and must learn from the outcome of their decisions.

Read Online

An Ass, being driven along a high road, suddenly started off and bolted to the brink of a deep precipice. While he was in the act of throwing himself over, his owner seized him by the tail, endeavoring to pull him back. When the Ass persisted in his effort, the man let him go and said, “Conquer, but conquer to your cost.”

Related tags
, , , , ,