The Belly and the Members

The members of the Body rebelled against the Belly, and said, "Why should we be perpetually engaged in administering to your wants, while you do nothing but take your rest, and enjoy yourself in luxury and self-indulgence?" The members carried out their resolve, and refused their assistance to the Body. The whole Body quickly became debilitated, and the hands, feet, mouth, and eyes, when too late, repented of their folly.

From The Belly and the Members by Aesop, translated by George Fyler Townsend (1867). Public domain.

Check your understanding

1. What is the primary complaint of the members against the Belly?

The Belly consumes too much food.The Belly does no work while they labor to serve it.The Belly is plotting to control the rest of the Body.The Belly refuses to share its nutrients with them.

2. What is the direct result of the members refusing their assistance?

The Belly learns to work for itself.The members become stronger independently.The entire Body becomes weak and debilitated.The members elect a new leader for the Body.

3. How does the author use the personification of the body parts to convey a theme about systemic interdependence? Support your answer with evidence from the text.

4. Analyze the tone of the members' dialogue in the first sentence. How does the author's word choice reveal their attitude toward the Belly?

5. Defend or challenge the following statement using evidence from the text: 'The members of the Body were justified in their initial rebellion, even if the outcome was disastrous.'