The Bald Man and the Fly

Summary

This story is a fable about a bald man who gets bitten by a fly on his head. In an attempt to swat the annoying insect, he accidentally hurts himself by delivering a hard slap to his own head. The fly uses this opportunity to mock the man, pointing out the irony of his self-inflicted pain while trying to seek revenge for a minor irritation. The bald man responds with composure, asserting that he can forgive himself because his injury was not intentional, unlike the fly's deliberate act of biting. The narrative highlights themes of self-control, the futility of misplaced anger, and the wisdom in addressing irritations with thoughtfulness rather than rash actions.

Read Online

A Fly bit the bare head of a Bald Man who, endeavoring to destroy it, gave himself a heavy slap. Escaping, the Fly said mockingly, “You who have wished to revenge, even with death, the Prick of a tiny insect, see what you have done to yourself to add insult to injury?” The Bald Man replied, “I can easily make peace with myself, because I know there was no intention to hurt. But you, an ill-favored and contemptible insect who delights in sucking human blood, I wish that I could have killed you even if I had incurred a heavier penalty.”