The Dogs and the Hides: Aesop’s Fables

The Fable of "The Dogs and the Hides"

Some hungry Dogs saw a number of hides at the bottom of a stream where the Tanner had put them to soak. A fine hide makes an excellent meal for a hungry Dog, but the water was deep and the Dogs could not reach the hides from the bank. So they held a council and decided that the very best thing to do was to drink up the river.

All fell to lapping up the water as fast as they could. But though they drank and drank until, one after another, all of them had burst with drinking, still, for all their effort, the water in the river remained as high as ever.

Do not try to do impossible things.

The Story of "The Dogs and the Hides"
- Aesop's Fables -

The Moral of "The Dogs and the Hides" by Aesop: A Lesson in Foolishness and Prioritizing Goals

Aesop’s fable “The Dogs and the Hides” presents a powerful moral lesson that resonates across time: in trying to achieve a goal, one should not waste resources on unrealistic or impractical actions. In this case, the hungry dogs go to great lengths to get something they desire—hides to eat—but their efforts are misguided. Instead of focusing on a practical way to achieve their goal, they decide to drink up the river, an impossible task that ultimately results in failure.

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1. Pursuing Unattainable Goals

The fable of "The Dogs and the Hides" illustrates how setting an unrealistic goal leads to failure. The dogs want to reach the hides in the river, but instead of thinking through a feasible solution—perhaps finding a way to wade into the water or waiting for the water to lower—they decide to drink the entire river dry. The folly here lies in the fact that no matter how hard they work at it, they can never accomplish the task.

The takeaway for us? Be realistic about what you can achieve. In the face of challenges, it's essential to assess whether your goals are achievable with the resources and strategies available to you. Trying to force an outcome that isn’t possible can lead to frustration and wasted energy.

2. Wasting Effort on Ineffective Actions in "The Dogs and the Hides"

Even though the dogs drink the water tirelessly, they make no progress in reaching the hides. The act of drinking the river dry is futile. They’re putting in effort, but it’s completely misdirected.

This idea can be applied in everyday life when people find themselves doing a lot of work but not seeing any results. Are you focusing on the wrong actions? If your efforts aren’t yielding results, it’s worth pausing and reassessing whether your approach is the right one. The energy you pour into something should be aligned with the ultimate goal. Efficiency and strategy are key to success.

3. Understanding the Importance of Patience and Practicality

One of the most significant lessons in "The Dogs and the Hides" is the danger of impatience. Rather than seeking a reasonable solution, the dogs choose the quickest—but also the most impractical—way to get what they want. In life, patience and practicality often lead to better outcomes. Sometimes, success is not achieved through grand, rushed schemes but by taking small, thoughtful steps over time.

For example, if you’re tackling a long-term project or goal, breaking it down into manageable pieces and progressing step-by-step might be more effective than trying to do everything all at once in a rush.

4. Knowing When to Let Go – A Lesson from "The Dogs and the Hides"

The dogs’ failure to get the hides also highlights another important lesson: knowing when to abandon a course of action. When you realize you’re going in circles or getting nowhere with your efforts, it’s okay to reevaluate. The dogs never stop drinking to think about a better solution, and that stubbornness leads to their demise. In life, knowing when to stop or pivot is just as important as knowing when to keep going.

For instance, if a business strategy isn’t working or a personal project isn’t progressing, it’s critical to reflect and change direction, rather than blindly sticking to a failing approach. Stubbornness without reflection leads to wasted time and energy.

5. Realizing that Some Things Are Beyond Control

Lastly, the river in the fable represents something the dogs cannot control—nature itself. Despite their best efforts, they cannot change the level of the river. Recognizing that some things are simply out of your control is an important step in avoiding frustration and wasted effort. Instead of focusing on elements that cannot be changed, it’s better to focus on what can be done to move forward or adapt to the situation.

In conclusion

Aesop’s fable "The Dogs and the Hides" teaches a valuable lesson about the dangers of misguided effort. If we chase unattainable goals or waste time on impractical actions, we risk failure despite our hard work. True success comes from being strategic, patient, and realistic. By adopting this mindset, we can avoid the fate of the hungry dogs and achieve our goals more effectively.