by James Ellyard

Created on: September 25, 2009   Last Updated: September 26, 2009

The Greek Aesop is famed for his stories, or fables, each one expressing a very important moral. I have always found Aesop's fables magnificent little tales, the use of animals makes them relevant for anyone, especially children, of whom morals and messages are the most important. 'The dog and the Shadow' is a simple fable based on greed, the moral being 'be grateful for what you have'.

The dog takes in his mouth a piece of meat to enjoy by himself. When the dog walks over a small bridge to cross a creek, he sees the reflection of another dog (himself). The dog believes that another dog facing him from the creek holds a larger piece of meat than himself, an image distorted by the water. The moral begins to take shape when the dog is envious of himself and jumps at his reflection, and into the water, to claim the piece of meat for his own. Tragedy strikes and he realises that the dog was his own image, he not only doesn't get a bigger bit of meat, but he also loses his own piece in the process. Both the reader and perhaps even the dog understands that what you have is worth hanging onto, greed brings disaster and tragedy. Be happy with what you own, it may even be the best that you can get, why risk losing what you have for something only slightly better.

In times of recession and poverty this fable is relevant to many suffering under an economical crisis. People are taken by their greed to take risks. This risk may end in reward or utter disaster. Gambling is a very good example. To gamble is to take a risk, there is a greater threat of losing money than winning, there are opportunities to 'quit while you're ahead'. Often when somebody has won money from gambling or betting previously, gives them a confidence that makes the gambler want to continue and win more money. The chances are unlikely that you continue to win. Gamblers will often end up leaving with less money than what they began with, if they become consumed by greed.

Aesop portrays this message brilliantly and gives a simple yet powerful message to the reader. Morals should be revisited by everyone as a chance to understand what is wrong and what is right. Fables are an easy way to comprehend faults in mankind.

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