873. Imago Picta in Camera Alta. Aliquis, pictam imaginem in alta camera miratus, “Illa quanto,” dixit, “suavius oculos teneret, si mihi prope adstaret, quae tam valde placet tam procul remota!” Per scalas ergo secretiores adscensu levi ad ipsam testudinem pervenit. Sed, omnia vasta videns, lineamentis crassisque diductisque in enormem modum, stupet et agnoscit denique errorem suum. Quam multi, in culmine alto collocati, oculos infimorum hiantes detinent errore blando, quos si propius inspexeris, turpitudinis notae grandes patescent.
M0873 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 10.23 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For another fable about sight and distance, see the story of the travelers on the seashore, #921.
