This chapter is based on a classic fable — a short story that teaches a moral lesson, often featuring animals as characters. In "The Old Stag," we learn about wisdom, pride, and the dangers of vanity.
What is a Fable?
A fable is a short story with a moral (a lesson about right and wrong). Famous fables include stories by Aesop. Animals in fables usually speak and behave like humans, showing us human qualities like greed, kindness, or pride.
The Story in Brief
An old stag (a male deer) lived in a forest. Over the years he had grown large, beautiful antlers — the branching horns on his head. One day he stopped by a clear pond to drink water and saw his reflection.
He was filled with pride when he saw his magnificent antlers: "How grand and beautiful my horns are! No creature in the forest can match them."
Then he looked at his legs — long and thin — and felt ashamed: "But these spindly legs are so ugly. I wish I had better legs."
Suddenly, hunters with dogs appeared. The stag ran — his swift legs carried him far ahead of the dogs. He was nearly safe when his huge antlers got tangled in the branches of trees. He struggled, but he could not free himself. The hunters caught him.
His greatest pride became his downfall, and the legs he had scorned became his best hope of escape.
Moral: Do not judge by appearances. What seems beautiful may be harmful; what seems plain may be most useful.
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The stag admired his antlers but scorned his legs. In real life, we sometimes admire flashy things (a fancy bag, the latest phone) while ignoring what is truly useful (kindness, hard work, honesty).
A student thinks their handwriting is "ugly" but it is clear and readable — exactly what a teacher needs. Appearances can be misleading.
In a race, a fast but plain-looking runner beats a slow but stylishly dressed one. Usefulness matters more than looks.
A plain, strong bridge may look less beautiful than a decorative one, but it serves its purpose better. Strength and usefulness outrank mere appearance.
The stag's downfall came from vanity — excessive pride in one's appearance. Vanity makes us value the wrong things.
Common mistakes
- Thinking the moral is only about deer or animals. The moral applies to people: do not be so proud of what looks good that you ignore what is truly valuable.
- Confusing a fable with a fairy tale. A fairy tale involves magic; a fable teaches a clear moral lesson.
Summary
"The Old Stag" teaches us not to be vain or proud of appearances. The stag's beautiful antlers caused his death; his "ugly" legs were his only chance of survival. True value lies in usefulness, not in appearance. Think carefully before you judge something — or someone — by how they look.