Chrysti the Wordsmith > Radio Scripts

Aesop was an ancient Greek story teller whose name has been attached to a number of fables featuring talking, moralizing animals. These tales have been repeated through the oral traditions of many cultures, and have been retold in hundreds of printed collections. Aesop's fables have inspired dozens of English language expressions such as "sour grapes," "cry wolf," and "slow and steady wins the race."

"Dog in the manger" is another cliché inspired by Aesop's beast fables. A dog in the manger is someone who not only doesn't enjoy a certain thing or activity, but who also prevents others from enjoying it.

A dog, seeking a comfortable place to nap, curled up on the hay in an ox's stable. At day's end, the hungry ox returned to his stable, looking for feed. Enraged because his nap had been interrupted, the dog snarled and snapped at the ox whenever he approached the hay.

The ox became exasperated. "Dog," he said, "I would share my dinner with you if you were inclined to eat hay. But you can't eat it yourself, nor will you let me enjoy it. Your behavior is selfish and irrational."

Aesop's moral or application of this tale is "some begrudge others what they themselves cannot enjoy." Like the dog in the manger.

Radio Script > Dog in the Manger