The Rich Man and the Tanner by Aesop for ESL students with new vocabulary in real context, video, moral of the story, and questions for discussion based on the English Immersion Program available in the public domain on Gutenberg Project
Video of the Rich Man and the Tanner
The Rich Man and the Tanner
A rich man took up his residence next door to a tanner, and found the smell of the tan-yard so extremely unpleasant that he told him he must go.
The tanner delayed his departure, and the rich man had to speak to him several times about it; and every time, the tanner said he was making arrangements to move very shortly.
This went on for some time, till at last the rich man got so used to the smell that he ceased to mind it, and troubled the tanner with his objections no more.
English Proverbs from the Short Story
Here are three proverbs that are thematically relevant to The Rich Man and the Tanner, along with their meanings:
“Familiarity breeds contempt, but also acceptance.”
While this proverb originally suggests that excessive familiarity can lead to a lack of respect, it also implies that over time, people can become so used to something that they stop noticing its flaws or discomforts—just like the rich man eventually stopped minding the tanner’s smell.
“Time heals all wounds.”
Although this proverb is often used in the context of emotional pain, it also applies to the fable’s theme of adaptation. Over time, people can grow accustomed to situations they initially found unbearable, just as the rich man adjusted to the tannery’s odor.
“What can’t be cured must be endured.”
This proverb means that if something cannot be changed, one must learn to live with it. The rich man, unable to force the tanner to leave, eventually adapted to the situation instead of continuing to resist it.
These proverbs reflect the fable’s lesson about the power of habit and the human ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.
English Vocabulary in Real Context
- Residence: home
- Tanner: a person who tans leather or changes animal skin into leather using special chemicals
- Departure: the act of leaving somewhere
- Arrangements: plans for doing something, preparation
- Get used to: to become accustomed to
- Cease: to stop
- Mind (verb) something: to be annoyed or worried by something
- Trouble (verb): to cause someone to be worried or anxious
- Objection: protest, complaint, dislike
Moral of the Short Story
The moral of The Rich Man and the Tanner is that people can become accustomed to unpleasant situations over time. Initially, the rich man found the tanner’s workshop unbearable, but as time passed, he adjusted and no longer noticed the smell. This fable highlights the power of habit and adaptation, teaching that persistence can sometimes outlast resistance. It also suggests that rather than forcing change on others, we often learn to tolerate and coexist with circumstances that once seemed intolerable.
Discussion Questions
- Have you ever experienced a situation where something unpleasant became normal over time? How did you adapt to it?
- Do you think the rich man should have tried harder to make the tanner move, or was it better that he got used to the smell? Why?
- What are some things in life that people learn to tolerate even though they don’t like them at first? Can you give examples?
3. First, many people hate waking up early for school or work, but over time, they adapt and may even come to appreciate the routine. Secondly, people often dislike certain aspects of their jobs like meetings, deadlines, or repetitive task. But, they tolerate them because of financial necessity or career growth.
You’ve hit on a key point about adaptation – it often arises from necessity. Whether it’s the daily grind of early mornings or the less enjoyable parts of our jobs, we have a remarkable capacity to adjust and even find positives when faced with consistent pressures. As you pointed out, the initial dislike can lessen over time, sometimes leading to acceptance and even an appreciation, especially when there’s a motivating factor like financial security or a long-term goal.
2. In my opinion, the rich man had the ability to move and go to another place. In this case, he did not have to spend his time and energy to change his neighbor.
While the rich man certainly could have moved, the fable highlights his flawed reasoning. It wasn’t about the ability to relocate, but rather the inability to adapt. The rich man’s discomfort stemmed from his own sensitivity to the tanner’s trade, not an inherent flaw in the tanner. Moving wouldn’t address the underlying issue – the rich man’s aversion – it would only relocate the problem. The fable suggests that true contentment comes not from changing our external circumstances or trying to control others, but from managing our own reactions and expectations.
1. Yes, I have experienced it, when we lived in a house by the road. At first, the sound of passing cars bothered me a lot. So that I could hardly sleep at night. Over time, after a year, I got accustomed to the noises.
It’s interesting how adaptable we can be, isn’t it? Your experience perfectly illustrates how habituation works. What initially seemed unbearable and disruptive eventually faded into the background as you got used to it. It’s a testament to our ability to filter out consistent, unchanging stimuli, allowing us to focus on other things and get on with our lives, even amidst what might seem like constant noise.
In situations like learning something difficult e.g. a new language, it may seem frustrating at first, but gradually, with practicing and progressing, people come to enjoy it at last.
Thank you for your comment on the short story, The Rich Man and the Tanner. Here’s the revised version of your paragraph:
Learning something challenging, like a new language, can indeed feel frustrating at first. However, with consistent practice and steady progress, the initial difficulty fades, and the process becomes more enjoyable. Over time, as skills improve and confidence grows, what once seemed overwhelming turns into a rewarding and fulfilling experience.