Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #887a (1966) – Aesop Fables: The Table, The Donkey and The Stick

Description

Germany, Democratic Republic (DDR) #887a (1966) – Aesop Fables: The Table, The Donkey and The Stick

Sheet of 6: #882-887

“The Table, the Ass, and the Stick” is one of Aesop’s Fables, a collection of short stories that convey moral lessons. The fable typically goes something like this:

Summary of “The Table, the Ass, and the Stick”:

The Story:

• Once upon a time, a man had an ass (a donkey) that worked hard for him, carrying heavy loads. The man, however, was not satisfied and wanted more from his ass.

The Trick:

• The man devised a plan. He placed a table full of tempting food in front of the ass and held a stick behind it. The ass, seeing the food, was enticed and moved forward to eat.

The Lesson:

• As the ass moved towards the food, the table was removed, and the ass ended up chasing the food, never able to reach it. The man continued to use the stick to make the ass move forward without ever letting it enjoy the reward.

Moral of the Story:

• The fable illustrates the concept of deception and manipulation. The man in the story represents those who use deceit to motivate others. The ass, in its pursuit of the unreachable reward, serves as a metaphor for individuals who are misled and manipulated without ever gaining what was promised.

Interpretation:

• The fable teaches a lesson about being cautious of promises and not blindly following others without considering the consequences. It highlights the importance of critical thinking and not falling for deceptive practices.

Aesop’s Fables are known for their simplicity and universal moral messages, and “The Table, the Ass, and the Stick” is no exception.