A dog stole a pork chop from the butcher’s shop. It was a tasty morsel, fresh-cut, fat and juicy and the dog was mightily pleased with himself. But as he crossed a bridge over a small pond, he saw another dog reflected in the water and this other dog also had a pork chop between its jaws.

The dog eyed the interloper. He couldn’t be sure, but it seemed it was in possession of a prize bigger and juicier than his own. And it was staring back at him defiantly. This would not do. Without another thought, he leapt upon his rival.

Reflection, pork chop, and dog disappeared with a dirty splash. Only the dog resurfaced growling, or gurgling, as he thrashed violently with an imagined opponent. Eventually these exertions brought him to the bank of the pond, where he scrambled to safety and shook himself dry, then he turned and noted his adversary had not followed him out of the water.

“Ha! That will teach you,” he declared in triumph.

© Richard Parkin 2026

Further reading: Misadventures in the Land of Fables #67