"The Fox and the Grapes" is a fable attributed to Aesop, featuring a hungry fox who spots a bunch of ripe grapes hanging high on a vine. After several attempts to reach the grapes, the fox realizes he cannot get them and decides to walk away, declaring that the grapes are probably sour anyway. This story illustrates the concept of cognitive dissonance, where one downplays the value of something unattainable. The fable conveys a moral lesson about rationalization and the tendency to dismiss what we cannot have. It teaches that people often belittle their desires when they are out of reach, highlighting the human tendency to cope with disappointment.