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M0701 (not in Perry). Source: Odo, Fable 56. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry was not systematic in his coverage of medieval sources. Compare the story of the ox who asks permission to pray before being eaten by the wolf, #280.
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Image: Pulex et Abbas
701. Pulex et Abbas. Pulicem cepit abbas, dicens, “Nunc te teneo! Saepe me punxisti, a somno excitasti; numquam te dimittam, sed statim interficiam.” Dixit pulex, “Pater sancte, ex quo me interficere proponis, pone me in palma tua, ut libere valeam peccata mea confiteri. Cum confessus fuero, poteris me interficere.” Abbas, pietate motus, posuit pulicem in medio palmae. Pulex statim exsilivit et per saltum evasit. Abbas pulicem fortiter vocavit, sed redire noluit. Sic plerique, in arto positi, interea promittunt sed, cum evaserunt, nihil persolvunt.
