M0453 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 13.26 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the crow who gets in trouble trying to help the rabbit, #436.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Image: Graculus, Cornix, et Aquila
453. Graculus, Cornix, et Aquila. Graculus, furti reus, aquilam fugiebat. Cornix miserata advolat et aesculum cavam indicat in qua tuto latere possit. “Habeo tibi,” inquit ille, “gratiam; verumtamen ista, opinor, aesculus non est, at fraxinus.” “Verumtamen,” ait cornix, “quid interest utrum fraxinus sit, an aesculus, modo tibi latebram praebeat? Fuge, stulte, fuge celeriter, et cave ne hostis ingruens tuam loquacitatem reprimat.” Graculus abscedit, arborem indicatam propior considerat et, videns hanc esse fraxinum, stolide triumphat. Periculi immemor, non modo cavum commode patentem haud subit, sed ad cornicem se refert et “O bona,” inquit, “errabas. Tibi dico hanc fraxinum tam vere esse quam vere sum graculus.” Additurus erat multa alia, cum aquila ruens imprudentem corripit et eviscerat. Garrulitas vana multis exitio fuit.
