The Blacksmith and His Dog by Aesop for ESL students with a video, vocabulary in real context, discussion questions, and moral of the short story based on the English Immersion Program
The Blacksmith and His Dog is now in the public domain available on Gutenberg Project.
Video of the Blacksmith and His Dog
The Blacksmith and His Dog
A blacksmith had a little dog, which used to sleep when his master was at work, but was very wide awake indeed when it was time for meals.
One day, his master pretended to be disgusted at this, and when he had thrown him a bone as usual, he said, “What on earth is the good of a lazy cur like you?
When I am hammering away at my anvil, you just curl up and go to sleep: but no sooner do I stop for a mouthful of food than you wake up and wag your tail to be fed.”
English proverbs from the short story
Here are a few English proverbs that are thematically related to the fable “The Blacksmith and His Dog”:
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
This proverb emphasizes the importance of diligence and punctuality, similar to the blacksmith’s work ethic.
You reap what you sow.
This proverb suggests that our actions have consequences, and if we are lazy or neglect our responsibilities, we may face negative consequences.
Those who will not work deserve to starve.
The proverb “Those who will not work deserve to starve” is a harsh statement that reinforces the idea of personal responsibility and the importance of hard work. It suggests that individuals who are unwilling or unable to contribute to society by working should not expect to receive support or resources. While this proverb may seem extreme, it reflects a belief that everyone should be expected to earn their keep and that laziness or idleness should not be rewarded. This theme is also present in the fable “The Blacksmith and His Dog,” where the dog’s laziness is criticized and contrasted with the blacksmith’s hard work.
Vocabulary in real context
- blacksmith: iron worker, metalworker
- master: owner
- wide awake: totally conscious, aware, mindful
- indeed: undeniably, certainly, definitely, in fact
- meals: mealtime, time for food
- be disgusted at: be sickened at, be appalled at
- cur: mongrel dog: a mixed-breed dog, especially one that is ill-natured or in poor condition
- anvil: metalworker’s hammering block, a sturdy piece of iron onto which heated metal is placed to be beaten into the required shape, especially by a blacksmith or farrier
- curl up: to sit or lie with the body curved and the legs tucked up, coil
- a mouthful of food: a small amount of food
Moral of the short story
The fable “The Blacksmith and His Dog” teaches us that it’s important to be mindful of others’ needs and efforts. Just as the dog was quick to wake up when it was time for food, we should also be attentive to the needs and desires of those around us. It’s a reminder that being considerate and responsive to others is a crucial part of building strong relationships and creating a harmonious environment.
I really think the master of the dog was saying the truth at this point. The dog was just being fed for sleeping . And the master always works . The dog really deserves to be starved to learn a new lesson!
Glad to see you’re commenting, Soroosh, and you’re absolutely right about the central message of the story, The Blacksmith and His dog. The lazy dog was quite useless, yet it was consuming a great deal of food. I agree with you on this matter that the dog did not deserve to be fed unless he would change this wrong attitude.