An Ass carrying a sacred Image thinks people are bowing to him, but learns a hard lesson about vanity when his driver sets him straight.
An Ass carrying a sacred Image through the streets becomes filled with pride and vanity, thinking the people bowing are honoring him rather than the sacred Image he carries. When he stops to bray loudly in his foolishness, his driver quickly corrects him with a stick and a sharp lesson about not taking credit that belongs to others.
Author: Aesop
Themes: humility, pride, wisdom
A sacred Image was being carried to the temple. It was mounted on an Ass adorned with garlands and gorgeous trappings, and a grand procession of priests and pages followed it through the streets.
As the Ass walked along, the people bowed their heads reverently or fell on their knees, and the Ass thought the honor was being paid to himself.
With his head full of this foolish idea, he became so puffed up with pride and vanity that he halted and started to bray loudly.
But in the midst of his song, his driver guessed what the Ass had got into his head, and began to beat him unmercifully with a stick.
"Go along with you, you stupid Ass," he cried. "The honor is not meant for you but for the image you are carrying."
Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others.
Introduction
The Ass Carrying the Image is a timeless fable by Aesop that teaches children about humility and the danger of taking credit for achievements that belong to others. This classic moral tale has been shared for generations to help children understand the importance of honesty and modesty.
Values and Lessons
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The Ass Carrying the Image
The Ass Carrying the Image is a timeless fable by Aesop that teaches children about humility and the danger of taking credit for achievements that belong to others. This classic moral tale has been shared for generations to help children understand the importance of honesty and modesty.
Origin and History
The Ass Carrying the Image is one of Aesops Fables, a collection of moral stories attributed to Aesop, a slave and storyteller who lived in ancient Greece around 620-564 BCE. This particular fable has been retold countless times over the centuries, appearing in various collections including Aesop for Children illustrated by Milo Winter in 1919. The storys simple yet powerful message about humility has made it a favorite teaching tool for parents and educators worldwide.
Values and Lessons
Humility - Learning to be modest about our achievements
Honesty - Being truthful about our role and contributions
Self-awareness - Understanding our true place without becoming vain
Respect for others - Recognizing when credit belongs to someone else
Wisdom - Learning from our mistakes and corrections
Related Activities
🎨Discuss times when someone took credit for something they did not do
💬Act out the fable with family or friends, taking turns as different characters
✨Draw a picture showing the moral of the story
📝Write about a time you learned an important lesson about humility
🎯Create your own fable about learning to be humble
❓What is the moral of The Ass Carrying the Image?
The moral is: Do not try to take the credit to yourself that is due to others. The story teaches us about humility and not being prideful about achievements that are not our own.
❓Who wrote The Ass Carrying the Image?
This fable was written by Aesop, the ancient Greek storyteller famous for his moral tales featuring animals. Aesop lived around 620-564 BCE.
❓What age is this story appropriate for?
The Ass Carrying the Image is recommended for children ages 6-8, though it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages who appreciate classic moral tales.
