The Kid and the Wolf on the Roof
Aesop's Fables · 1 min read
A young goat, standing safely atop the flat roof of his family's house, spotted a wolf passing on the road below and, feeling entirely secure in his elevated position, began shouting bold insults down at the predator — mocking his hunting skills, his appearance, and his failure to catch anything that particular day.
The wolf, pausing below, looked up calmly and replied without any real anger: "I hear your insults clearly enough, little one, but understand this — it is not you who insults me so bravely. It is the safety of that roof beneath your feet. Say the very same words to me while standing on open ground, and we shall see how bold you truly are."
The young goat, chastened by the truth of this, quieted immediately, understanding that courage displayed only from a position of guaranteed safety was not courage at all — merely the illusion of it, borrowed entirely from circumstance rather than earned through genuine bravery.
Moral of the story
Boldness shown only from a position of guaranteed safety is not real courage — it is merely borrowed from circumstance.