The Fox and the Grapes

A famished Fox saw some clusters of ripe black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get at them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach them. At last she turned away, beguiling herself of her disappointment and saying: "The Grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought."

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

Check your understanding

1. What does the word famished mean as it is used in the first sentence of the passage?

Extremely thirstyVery hungryEasily angeredQuite tired

2. Why does the Fox say the grapes are sour at the end of the passage?

She tasted one and realized it was bad.She wants to save them for later.She is trying to make herself feel better about failing.She thinks another animal poisoned them.

3. The passage says the Fox was beguiling herself of her disappointment. Based on the Fox's actions and words, what does beguiling mean in this context? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

4. How does the Fox's opinion of the grapes change from the beginning of the passage to the end? Why does her opinion change?

5. What can you infer about the Fox's personality based on how she handles failure? Provide evidence from the text to support your inference.