Aesop’s ‘The Dog and His Reflection’: Gratitude and Generosity Are Antidotes to Greed

An illustration of the story "A Dog and His Bone" from an ancient Arabic collection of fables "Kalila and Dimna." Public Domain

Greed is such a powerful, domineering vice. When we are greedy, we become so consumed by a never-ending need for something more. Our unquenchable desires change us, and we become unrecognizable even to ourselves.

In his fable “The Dog and His Bone,” Aesop reveals how easily and drastically greed can transform us. He tells of a dog so overcome with greed that he does not recognize himself and loses what he should have enjoyed.