601. Rana et Vulpes. Rana, paludibus valedicens, novo vivendi genere acquisito, in silvam gloriabunda sese tulit et, bestiarum coronis circumstipata, medicinae artem publice profitebatur et in herbis quae ad corpora curanda pertinent nobiliorem se vel Galeno vel Hippocrate esse clamitabat. Credula bestiarum gens fidem facile adhibebat, vulpe solummodo excepta. Quae sic glorianti irridebat, “Insulsum vagumque animal! Quid tam vana blatteras? Quid artem nobilem prae te fers, quam minime calles? Livida pallidaque illa tua labra respice! Quin domi abi et teipsum cura, medice! Deinde ad nos redeas, meliora forsan de te speraturos.” Nihil respondente rana sed tacitis secum gemente suspiriis, tota bestiarum cachinnis resonabat silva.
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M0601 = Perry289. Source: Barlow’s Aesop 4. This is Perry 289. Hippocrates (fifth century BCE) and Galen (second century CE) were the two most famous physicians of ancient Greece and Rome. The same story is also told about the fox and the worm, #57.
