Aesop

The Hare and the Hound

Summary

This story highlights the differing motivations that drive individuals in life. It narrates the experience of a hound that starts chasing a hare, but eventually gives up when the race becomes long and arduous. Observing this, a goat-herd mocks the hound for its failure, implying the hare is the superior runner. However, the hound clarifies that while it was running merely for a meal, the hare was running to save its life. This difference in stakes illustrates how motivations can greatly influence one's perseverance and effort—emphasizing that necessity and the instinct for survival can drive individuals to extraordinary lengths, often outpacing those with lesser reasons for pursuit.

Read Online

A Hound started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave up the chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying “The little one is the best runner of the two.” The Hound replied, “You do not see the difference between us: I was only running for a dinner, but he for his life.”

Related tags
, , , , , , , , , , , ,