The Fox and the Grapes

The Fox and the Grapes is one of Aesop's most famous fables, telling the story of a fox who, failing to reach the juicy grapes hanging high from a vine, walks away grumbling that they were probably sour anyway. This tale is used to illustrate the concept of cognitive dissonance or rationalization, where people deceive themselves to reconcile their frustration when they can't achieve a desired goal.

• Children

								
A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging from
a vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemed
ready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth watered as he
gazed longingly at them.

The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump for
it. The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. So he
walked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, only
to fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain.

Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.

"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself out to get
a bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."

And off he walked very, very scornfully.

There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which is
beyond their reach.
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