[californiadreem]

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.

[effingwewt]

There's a difference between opting out of having children, and not being able to physically.

There's more nuance here than your fable can expound on.

Some people don't want to bring a child into a world in its current state, some cannot afford it, some do not want the externalized costs, etc.

Choosing not to have children isn't always sour grapes.

It's a choice- let them make theirs.

[bradknowles]

Some of us recognize that we wouldn't make good parents and that we are not ready, and probably never will be.

My wife and I are okay with our cats. I don't think we have any regrets in this area.

[thunky]

Your story would be more on point if the fox walked past the grapes without interest and never regretted it. Then had a big meal.

[pg_1234]

It sounds like you are saying children are like juicy grapes when seen from a distance, but are sour and disgusting up close.

And then the last line is a bit of a non-sequitur, particularly given that the fox was longing after that which was beyond it's reach.

[valbaca]

Grapes are literally toxic to foxes (and dogs).

What a perfect analogy.

[gaganyaan]

This comment triggered a lot of cope, congrats.