925. Viatores et Pons. Boeotius viator olim una cum Corinthio et Atheniensi noctu ambulabat. Mox comites ad rapidum flumen veniunt. Forte altus pons iungebat flumen. Viatores ascendunt pontem et in aqua sub pedibus imaginem lunae vident. “Ecce,” inquit Boeotius, “pulcher caseus in aqua iacet. Cur nos non praemium deportamus?” Sine mora Boeotius manibus pontem tenet, et suspendit corpus super aquam. Deinde Corinthius prehendit crura amici. Atheniensis habet tertium locum et pedibus praemium captat. Tum exclamat Boeotius, “Vos tenete firmiter mea crura, nam manus durum lignum terit.” Simul laxat manus, et omnes in aquam decidunt.
M0925 (not in Perry). Source: Gradatim 23. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. For another story about the moon mistaken for cheese, see the story of the fox and the well, #70. The Boeotian was a proverbial figure of fun in ancient Greek culture; for another fable about a Boeotian, see #975.
