The Dog in the Manger

Name: The Dog in the Manger
Author: Aesop

Aesop A2 Fable

A free A2-level English story for language learners, readable online in 7 languages, with an option to listen via the free Storyteller app.

Level: A2
Genres: Fable
Reading time: 1 min
Languages available: EN, VI, ES, ZH, PT, HI, ID

A dog lounges in the cattle's manger, snapping at the hungry animals every time they try to reach the hay he won't touch himself.

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A Dog was lying in a Manger on the hay which had been put there for the cattle, and when they came and tried to eat, he growled and snapped at them and wouldn't let them get at their food. "What a selfish beast," said one of them to his companions; "he can't eat himself and yet he won't let those eat who can."

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Where was the Dog lying?
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Answer: In a manger full of hay meant for the cattle
He was lying in the manger, on hay that had been put there for the cattle to eat.
What did the Dog do whenever the cattle tried to eat the hay?
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Answer: He growled and snapped at them
He growled and snapped at them and wouldn't let them get at their food.
Why did the cattle call the Dog "selfish"?
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Answer: He wouldn't let them eat hay he couldn't eat himself
The cattle pointed out that the Dog couldn't eat the hay himself, yet still wouldn't let those who could eat it.
What lesson does this fable teach?
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Answer: Don't stop others from using something you have no use for yourself
The dog is condemned for denying others something he himself could not use.

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