M0965 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 14.15 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For the story of how the nut tree wanted to be fruitful, see #772.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Image: Puer et Nux Castanea
965. Puer et Nux Castanea. Puer quidam nucem castaneam forte repererat; coquendam cineri fervido statim commisit. Illa, ubi aestus non tolerabiles sensit, cruciatus suos stridore querulo indicare coepit. At puer immisericors, nihil motus quin et aspere iocans, dixit, “Ego scio qua ratione naenia ista, sine modo funebris, comprimi possit,” et simul prunarum copiam cineri super addidit. Nux misera, iniquis ardoribus evicta, cortice dissoluto, crepuit. Sed non inulta: sic rupta, magno enim nisu se sustulit, et ipsas prunas expulit in faciem et oculos imprudentis, non sine genarum damno et luminum periculo. Hostis metuendus qui furit, vel dum perit.
