Image: Sorex et Mus
215. Sorex et Mus. Sorex, acutos sonos ore stridulo ciere solitus, cum crederet sese belle cantitare, gestiebat et sibi plaudebat; iocans, muris taciturnitatem etiam carpebat. At ille “Si saperes,” ait, “pariter taceres.” Quo dicto, mus cavum subiit. Mox autem feles supervenit, soricis inepti stridore crebrescente admonita, et tacito gressu accedens incautum occupat. Atque ita sorex suo indicio proditus perit.
M0215 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 10.41 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. This fable appears to be inspired by the proverb Suo ipsius indicio periit sorex (see Erasmus, Adagia 1.3.65). Compare the fable about the mole who warns the mouse to be careful, #190. Read a Fabula Facilis version of this fable.
