Thursday, March 31, 2011

Image: Draco et Vulpes


M0627 - M0628 - M0629
628. Draco et Vulpes. Vulpes, dum terram eruit, cubile fodiens, ad speluncam pervenit draconis, qui thesauros abditos custodiebat. Hunc simul aspexit et interrogavit, “Quem fructum capis ex hoc labore, quodve praemium tantum est ut somno careas et aevum in tenebris exigas?” “Nullum praemium,” inquit ille; “verum hoc ab summo Iove mihi adtributum est.” “Ergo nec tibi sumis nec ulli donas quidquam?” ait vulpes. “Sic Fatis placet,” respondet draco, et vulpes, “Nolo irascaris, si libere dixero: Dis iratis natus est qui tibi similis est.”



M0628 = Perry518. Source: Phaedrus 4.20 (adapted into prose; shortened). This is Perry 518. For the story of a human and his treasure, #981.

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Image: Coclea et Simia


M0643 - M0644 - M0645
644. Coclea et Simia. Coclea repperit speculum, quod, dum nimium fulgere vidisset, adamavit et, statim ascendens super eius orbem, coepit eum delingere. Nil vero speculo visa est contulisse, nisi ut splendorem salivis vel sordibus pollueret. Simia invenit speculum taliter inquinatum et ait, “Qui talibus se calcari permittunt, talia sustinere merentur.”



M0644 = Perry559. Source: Ademar 8. This is Perry 559. Compare the story of the girl gazing at herself in the water, #810.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Image: Socrates et Pondus Auri


M0883 - M0884 - M0885

884. Socrates et Pondus Auri. Socrates philosophus, veniens ad Athenas, secum ferens pondus auri, proiecit in mare, dicens, “Submergam te, ne submergar a te.”


M0884 (not in Perry). Source: Odo, Parable 18. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry was not systematic in his coverage of medieval sources. Compare the fable of the poor man whose life is ruined by wealth, #997.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Image: Mercurius et Terra


M0784 - M0785 - M0786

785. Mercurius et Terra. Iuppiter hominem et feminam cum finxisset, Mercurio praecepit ut eos in Terram deduceret locumque indicaret ubi effodientes opes plurimas reportarent. Mandata exsequente Mercurio, Terra primo quidem impediit. Ut vero Mercurius, Iovem hoc aiens mandasse, ad id coegit, “Fodiant licet,” Terra ait, “quantum libuerit; cum fletu enim et eiulatu cuncta reddent.”


M0785 = Perry102. Source: De Furia 269. This is Perry 102. For a note about the pairing of Jupiter and Mercury, see #861.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Image: Psittacus et Dives


M0550 - M0551 - M0552
551. Psittacus et Dives. Vir nobilis psittacum emerat, probe educatum, praenitentem corpore ac bene valentem. Hunc atriensi curandum dedit, at ille totum id negotii reiicit ad ianitorem, ianitor ad topiarium, topiarius demum ad inertes pedisequos, qui, flocci aestimantes satis necne herili psittaco fiat, illum saepe et saepius cibique potusque indigentem negligunt. Adiguntque ut gemat, pristinam sortem recolens, et dicat, “Quanto mihi beatior vita erat sub casa paupere heri prioris! Dapes quas naturae meae convenire scisset, caute eligebat, sedulo praeparabat, et copiose largiebatur. Ille quidem solus altor mihi, sed optimus. Nunc in nobilis huiusce domo superba, ubi credidi sortem mihi meliorem fore, vita mea servis plurimis commendatur et interea, miser, fame longa conficior.” Si benefaciendi curam idoneus unus susceperit, praestat multitudini.




M0551 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 9.19 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the fable of the dog who gets praise from his master but no food, #376. For another fable about a neglected pet bird, see #552.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Image: Papilio et Apis


M0668 - M0669 - M0670
669. Papilio et Apes. Papilio volucer, florum amator frivolus, dum alis levibus ad cunctas redolentis horti opes visere properat, et violae modo, calthae modo osculum inane libat et fugit, apem vidit, mollibus rosae foliis insidentem et succos dulces naviter exprimentem. Accedens aliquantulum substitit, ut tam pertinacem illius diligentiam irrideret. At ea, nihilo segnius opus exsecuta, “Futiles,” inquit, “iocos verbis refellere neque lubet neque expedit; illud monebo tantum: qui dulce utili miscuit, is dignus est omni suffragio.”



M0669 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 8.2 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For the fable of a lazy bee, see #674.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Image: Formicae et Sus


M0652 - M0653 - M0654
653. Formicae et Sus. Formicae per totam aestatem et autumnum sollicite laborant et colligunt in acervum suum grana et alia, unde vivere possint in hieme. Et, cum totum compleverint, venit sus cum porcellis suis et, acervum aperiens, quidquid congregatum est dissipat et consumit. Sic est de avaris quod, cum omnia congregaverint, supervenit hiems, id est mors, et omnia dissipat et consumit.



M0653 (not in Perry). Source: Sheppey 29. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry was not systematic in his coverage of medieval sources. Of course, this was not at all what the ants expected would happen when winter came; see the famous fable of the ants and the cricket for the ants’ confident plans, #652.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Image: Scriptor et Aesopus


M0869 - M0870 - M0871

870. Scriptor et Aesopus. Quidam scripta Aesopo mala recitarat, in quibus multum se iactaverat inepte. Scire ergo cupiens quidnam senex sentiret, “Numquid tibi,” inquit, “superbior visus sum? Nobis ingeni fiducia haud vana est?” Aesopus, pessimo volumine confectus, “Ego,” inquit, “vehementer probo quod te laudas, namque hoc ab alio numquam tibi contiget.”


M0870 = Perry537. Source: Phaedrus, Perotti’s Appendix 6.9 (adapted into prose). This is Perry 537. Compare the fable of the two donkeys, #222.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Image: Diogenes et Mus


M0875 - M0876 - M0877

876. Diogenes et Mus. Diogenes desertus ab omnibus hominibus, solus relinquebatur, cum neque propter egestatem ipse quemquam reciperet neque ipsum hospitio quisquam acciperet, omnibus enim invisa erat eius in reprehendendo acrimonia et quod sese morosum et difficile praebebat ad ea quae dicebantur aut agebantur pleraque omnia. Proinde tristitia Diogenes confectus, summas foliorum extremitates manducabat, illa enim suppetebat. Mus vero accedens, decidentibus panis frustulis vescebatur. Diogenes igitur, cum diligenter rem spectasset, subridens animo recepto iam laetior et tranquillior secum, “Mus hic,” inquit, “nihil indiget Atheniensium lautitia, et quid tu, Diogenes, aegre fers, te cum Atheniensibus non cenare?” Atque sic oportunam animi tranquillitatem ipse sibi conciliavit.




M0876 (not in Perry). Source: Aelian, Historia 13.26 This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry did not use Aelian as a source. Diogenes the Cynic was a Greek mendicant philosopher of the fourth-century BCE. For a mouse who appreciates the value of a simple life, see the story of the city mouse and the country mouse, #196.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Image: Pavo et Aquila, Disputantes


M0546 - M0547 - M0548
547. Pavo et Aquila, Disputantes. Aquila se in pulchritudine ceteris avibus praeferebat, cunctis hoc verum esse affirmantibus. Pavo autem secum dicebat, “Non pennae te formosam, sed rostrum et ungues efficiunt, quorum timore nulla ex nobis audet tecum de formositate certare.”



M0547 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 107. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare the fable about the tyranny of the lion, #22.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Image: Diogenes Inhumatus


M0878 - M0879 - M0880

879. Diogenes Inhumatus. Diogenes Cynicus proiici se iussit inhumatum. Tum amici, “Volucribusne et feris?” “Minime vero,” inquit, “sed bacillum propter me, quo abigam, ponitote.” “Quo poteris?” illi; “non enim senties.” “Quid igitur mihi ferarum laniatus oberit, nihil sentienti?”



M0879 (not in Perry). Source: Gildersleeve, Narratiuncula 16. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. For a fable about a dog and a vulture in a graveyard, see #358.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Image: Testudo et Vulpes, Certantes


M0638 - M0639 - M0640
639. Testudo et Vulpes, Certantes. Suscepto cursus certamine inter vulpem et testudinem, dicitur testudo se caudae vulpinae implicuisse et ita hanc a currente vulpe raptatam fuisse ad locum praefinitum, a quo cum proxime abesset vulpes, respexisse fertur et per iocum dixisse non se putasse tam celerem esse testudinem, cum illa de cauda ad signum conversa arrepere perrexit et, non animadvertente vulpecula, illud tenuit. Docet fabula ingenium viribus praestare.



M0639 (not in Perry). Source: Camerarius 390. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. In races with the rabbit (#637) and with the eagle (#638), the turtle does not resort to trickery, as she does here. For the hedgehog using a trick to win a race, see #185. See also the story of the eagle and the little regulus bird, #411.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Image: Bombyx et Puer


M0665 - M0666 - M0667
666. Bombyx et Puer. Musarum alumnus iunior, nugax, levis, et osor librorum, cubiculum, quo magister suus ipsum sedulo detinebat, peius carcere atro horrere solitus est, et bombycem alebat ut taedium falleret et luctum fugaret. Hunc videns sese involvere filis subtilibus, quae ipse neverat, “O stulta bestia,” ait, “quae istis laboribus perfungeris ut tibi carcerem struas!” At ille retulit, “Ni opus tale fecero, eruca repere cogar, nec umquam mihi continget ut in alitem venustum muter.” Pueri monentur ut laboribus doctis se exerceant, ni per humum repere velint.



M0666 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 8.27 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons cites Richer as his source. For another story about a boy who does not want to study, see #961.

Friday, March 18, 2011

Image: Aesopus et Harioli


M0887 - M0888 - M0889

888. Aesopus et Harioli. Cuidam pecora habenti oves agnos perpererunt humano capite. Monstro territus, ad hariolos consulendos currit, maerens. Hic respondet ad domin i caput pertinere et victima periculum avertendum esse. Ille autem adfirmat coniugem adulteram esse et liberos insitivos significari, sed maiore hostia expiari posse. Quid multa? Variis sententiis harioli dissident, et hominis curam cura maiore adgravant. Aesopus, naris emunctae senex cui natura numquam verba potuit dare, ibi stabat; “Rustice,” inquit, “si ostentum procurare vis, uxores da pastoribus tuis.”



M0888 = Perry495. Source: Phaedrus 3.3 (adapted into prose). This is Perry 495. For other ominous births, see the story of the mountains and the mouse, #214, or the story of the thief and the beetle, #689.

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Image: Draco et Aquila


M0629 - M0630 - English - M0631

630. Draco et Aquila. Draco et aquila, convoluti inter se, pugnabant. Et quidem draco cum ligatam detineret aquilam, videns id rusticus, soluta draconis spira, liberam dimisit aquilam. Quare iratus draco, venenum immisit in servantis potum. Hausturo vero, quod ignoraret, rustico advolans, aquila ex eius manibus calicem decussit. Eos qui bene alicui faciunt, manent gratiae.



M0630 = Perry395. Source: Aphthonius 28 (translated into Latin). This is Perry 395. Compare the fable of the grateful mouse, #208. For another grateful eagle, see #413.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Image: Psittacus Honoratus


M0548 - M0549 - M0550
549. Psittacus Honoratus. Psittacus, in aula regis degens, interrogabatur a ceteris avibus quid ita in magno haberetur honore. Quibus ille, “Quia,” inquit, “exprimendi humanas voces artem edoctus sum.” Fabula nos admonet ut bonas et liberales ediscamus artes, si volumus ubique clari honorabilesque haberi.



M0549 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 171. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. For a fable about a less fortunate parrot, see #551.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Image: Hirundo et Filia Eius


M0482 - M0483 - M0484
483. Hirundo et Filia Eius. Hirundo prudens filiam sic monebat, “Me sequere; pennis paribus mecum contende hac qua praevolo, atque - audisne? Laevam time; cave huc aberres: video bacillos muro proximo adfixos. Vetula sum, et homines dolosos et perfidos iam diu novi; aliquid mali ibi esse suspicor.” At illa murmurans inquit, “Quid mater mea sibi fingit? Quid somniat? Vere fatetur se vetulam; arbitror enim has eius nugas plane aniles esse. Me ad bacillos istos accedere vetat; minime equidem id facere cogitaveram, at protinus experiri volo quam non timendum fuerit quod me timere iubet.” Dixit simulque huc levis provolavit, unde revolare miseram non sinent doli, quos parens nimium provida fugere iussit. Nam vix attigerat, sentit, et frustra gemit sese compede glutinosa retentam. Pueri et puellae meminerint avem contumacem in tam grave periculum irruisse non quod placeret, sed quia vetitum fuit.


M0483 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 14.22 (adapted into prose and shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons cites Aubert as his source. Compare the hen trying to protect her chicks, #567.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Image: Canes Duo et Os


M0349 - M0350 - M0351
350. Canes Duo et Os. Canes duo, Nero et Phylax, una invenerant eximium os. Uterque totum os postulat; rixa exardescit; postremo amici pugnam committunt. Fluebat solum sanguine. Tandem Phylax Neronem fugavit, exsultansque, ad locum ubi praedam reliquerant rediit. At aberat os. Canis prudentior id abstulerat, dum illi pugnabant.



M0350 (not in Perry). Source: Gildersleeve 6. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog. Compare the rhyming Latin proverb, Dum canis os rodit, socium quem diligit odit. For another fable about a fortunate third party, see the story of the lion, the bear and the fox, #132.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Image: Pica et Columba


M0497 - M0498 - M0499
498. Pica et Columba. Pica et columba pavonem convenerant, ut eum salutarent. Dum revertuntur, maledica pica “Quantopere,” inquit, “mihi displicet pavo! Quam insuaves edit sonos! Cur non silet? Cur non occultat pedes deformes?” Cui respondit innocens columba, “Vitia eius non observavi, verum formositatem corporis caudaeque nitorem adeo mirata sum, ut non possim eum satis praedicare.” Boni bona, mali mala exquirunt; illi ut laudare, hi ut carpere possint.



M0498 (not in Perry). Source: Ahn 25. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog, but there is a version in Desbillons 6.20, which appears to be original to Desbillons. When complaining to Juno, the peacock mentions its ugly song, but not its ugly feet: #544. For the magpie as a malicious gossip, see #496. For another fable about finding the good and the bad in things, see #671.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Image: Canis et Domicilium Eius


M0345 - M0346 - M0347
346. Canis et Domicilium Eius. Hieme contractus et implicitis membris cubans, canis, quo minus frigori expositum esset corpus, spatium illud ad domum faciendam in qua viveret designavit. Postea, in aestate membra expandens et corpus extendens, animadvertit notatum spatium non magis convenire neque se capere posse, itaque nec necesse nec facile sibi esse tantas aedes extruere.


(personal photo by one of my students)

M0346 = Perry449. Source: Camerarius 368. This is Perry 449. Compare the fable of the dog and the kitchen fire, #347.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Image: Pica et Cauda Eius


M0494 - M0495 - M0496
495. Pica et Cauda Eius. Pica levis, quotiens alis pressis consederat, caudam suam gesticulando flectebat. Credens se morem turpem cum patria linquere, illa transiit non modicum fretum, sed frustra. Nam mox cum consedit in ripa ulteriore, caudam suam vibravit more priore. “Mores,” inquit, “mutare putabam cum patria, sed mihi nunc vitium idem trans mare restat.” Sic ille qui mores componere putat, loca mutans, non animum, fretum transfretat incassum.



M0495 = Perry590. Source: Nequam 38 (adapted into prose). This is Perry 590. The fable alludes to the famous line from Horace, Epistles 1.11, caelum, non animum mutant, qui trans mare currunt. Compare the story of the stork and his beak, #472.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Image: Canis et Asinus, Socii


M0355 - M0356 - M0357
356. Canis et Asinus, Socii. Canis molossus, cognoscens se lupo, cum quo magnas exercebat inimicitias, imparem, statuit aliquem sibi socium adsciscere, ut mutuo auxilio lupum superaret. Videns autem asinum lupo vocaliorem, maiorem clitellisque velut thorace armatum, magnasque pilas podice cum magno tonitru emittentem, ratus est eum strenuum esse bellatorem. Quare, contracta societate, lupum ad pugnam provocavit. Sed ubi ad primum lupi conspectum asinum fugientem vidit, nilque aliud quam inconditos clamores et magnos ventris crepitus edentem, ipse quoque fugiens, socium in ipsa pugna deseruit, pabulum lupo vulturibusque futurum. Fabula indicat stultos esse, qui hominum virtutem ex verborum ampullositate et corporis proceritate diiudicant.



M0356 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 152. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare another story about a useless ally, see #135. For another story about a shameful retreat, see the story of the stag leading the animal army against the insects, #688.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Image: Passer et Statua


M0490 - M0491 - M0492
491. Passer et Statua. Quaedam statua, hominis habens imaginem, stabat in campo, cum arcu extento ad destruendum volucres. Volucres vero magni et parvi, videntes illam imaginem, statim confugiebant et non erant ausi in illo campo pascua sua quaerere. Tunc passer animosus, hanc videns, appropinquavit ei, et illa imago non movit se; et propius usque ad pedes eius venit, et non movit se; et ascendit super caput eius, et non movit se; et volavit super arcum et sagittam suam, et nihil ei fecit. Deinde volavit super nasum suum et merdavit inde os eius, et alii volucres similiter fecerunt.



M0491 = Perry720. Source: Medieval Promptuarium. This is Perry 720. Compare the frogs who finally go near and then jump on top of their “King Log” in #605. See also the story of the cuckoo and the titmouse, #511.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Image: Canis Aquam Timens


M0350 - M0351 - M0352
351. Canis Aquam Timens. Canis quidam, quoties pluebat, domo egredi non audebat. Interrogatus ab alio cane cur hoc faceret, “Quoniam,” inquit, “ferventi aqua excoctus sum.” Fabula indicat gravia mala expertis levissima quaeque timeri esse.



M0351 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 119. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare the fable of the hen scared of the fox’s skin, #566.

Monday, March 7, 2011

Image: Canes in Culina


M0346 - M0347 - M0348
347. Canes in Culin. Tempore hiemali, dum canes tres in culina ad focum cubant, en, quartus supervenit. Qui, cum nullum locum videret sibi idoneum relictum, excogitavit hanc viam obtinendi id quod volebat: repente foras se proripit et latratibus quam maximis potest viciniam omnem commovet. Quibus excitati canes qui ad focum cubabant statim allatrantes exeunt. At hic simul, furtim regressus in culinam, locum quem sibi arbitratur commodissimum occupat.



M0347 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 10.10 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the fable of the dog planning a house in winter, #346. For another fable about a diversion, see #87.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Image: Canis Venaticus et Vulpes


M0360 - M0361 - M0362
361. Canis Venaticus et Vulpes. Canis venaticus leonem casu oblatum insequebatur. Cum vero, conversus, ille rugiisset, expavescens canis retro fugit. Quem ubi vulpes conspexit, “O improbum caput,” ait, “tune leonem insecutus es, cuius ne rugitum quidem ferre sustinuisti?”



M0361 = Perry132. Source: De Furia 292. This is Perry 132. Compare the story of the hunter pursuing a lion, #847, or the fable of the dogs and the skin of the lion, #360.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Image: Sus et Asinus Morbum Simulans


M0340 - M0341 - M0342
341. Sus et Asinus Morbum Simulans. Asinus vidit quod porco dabatur panis et nihil laborabat. Cogitavit ergo asinus, “Porcus iste bene se habet, et nihil laborat; ego tota die laboro et parum comedo; fingam me infirmum.” Fecit sic. Stimulavit eum dominus eius; surgere noluit, sed ingemuit. Ait dominus uxori suae, “Asinus noster infirmatur.” Dixit domina, “Demus ei panem et portemus ei aquam.” Fecerunt sic. Asinus parum comedit in principio, postea satis, et impinguatus est. Et cogitavit asinus, “Quando porcus fuit impinguatus, fecit dominus venire carnificem cum cultello.” Asinus exterritus est, timens ne ipsum interficerent cum impinguatus esset; “Certe malo laborare et vitam pristinam ducere quam sic interfici.” Exivit stabulum et saltavit ante dominum suum. Quod videns, dominus restituit eum pristino officio et bona morte mortuus est.


M0341 = Perry600. Source: Odo, Fable 33 (shortened). This is Perry 600. For another story about a donkey who takes a warning from the pig’s example, see #227. For another fable about the donkey feigning illness, see #320.

Friday, March 4, 2011

Image: Canis Venaticus et Molossi


M0352 - M0353 - M0354
353. Canis Venaticus et Molossi. Ceperat venaticus canis leporem. Eum, quamvis esuriens, gloriose iactans verbis celeritatem suam, detulit domum ad molossos, custodes gregis et aedium; illi enimvero leporem eripuere ostentatori et inter se discerpsere.



M0353 (not in Perry). Source: Camerarius 438. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog. Compare the debate between the house dog and the hunting dog, #383.

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Image: Porcus et Mulus


M0337 - M0338 - M0339
338. Porcus et Mulus. Mulus, macer et onustus sarcina nimium gravi, tarde ambulabat et suam vicem dolebat, crebro gemens. Porcus, quem obesitas nimia sua pariter impediebat, sic consolandi gratia hunc allocutus est, “Age vero, frater, hos gemitus inanes comprime; quisque aequo animo fata sua sequi debet. Omnes sciunt te gerendis oneribus natum; tuam fortunam disce pati. An putas me esse levius onustum quam te? Adverte quantum pinguitudinis geram. Meum illud onus est, quo totus quidem premor eo usque ut vix mihi liceat ingredi. Et nihilominus vita nostra peragitur satis iucunde, nec curis edacibus ullisve gemitibus corrumpitur.” Mulus, porci orationem respuens, “Sortem,” ait, “utrinque disparem esse non vides? Essem beatus, si sarcina carerem, at tu miser eris, cum onus amittes tuum.”



M0338 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 9.14 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. Compare the story of the foolish heifer, #278.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Image: Canis et Vultur


M0357 - M0358 - M0359
358. Canis et Vultur. Canis et vultur humana effodiebant ossa. Canis thesaurum invenit et violavit Manes; iniecta est illi divitiarum cupiditas, per quas sacrilegii lueret poenas. Aurum dum custodit, oblitus ciborum copiam, fame est consumptus. Cui adstans vultur ait, “O canis, merito luis, quia concupisti regales opes, trivio conceptus et in stercoribus educatus. Quid tibi profuit has invenire divitias?”



M0358 = Perry483. Source: Ademar 32. This is Perry 483. Compare the fable of the rooster who found a precious gem, #555.

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Image: Hirundo et Formicae


M0483 - M0484 - M0485
484. Hirundo et Formicae. Hirundo olim formicas laborantes conspexit. Diu laborem admirata, “Quid,” inquit, “agitis, formicae?” “Brevi redibit hiems,” responderunt illae; “itaque aestate grana in horrea nostra condimus, ne fame pereamus.” “Optime habet,” dixit hirundo, “prudentiam istam et ipsa imitabor.” Quo dicto, huc illuc volitans, grana et cibum sub tignis in hiemem condebat. Altera tamen hirundo “Operam,” inquit, “perdis. Sub adventum hiemis in alias terras mecum migrabis et grana ista aliis relinques; non poteris enim ea tecum portare.” Non igitur omnes sunt omnibus imitandi.



M0484 (not in Perry). Source: Potts & Darnell p. 5. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. Compare this story to the famous fable of the ant and the cricket, #652.