Sunday, July 31, 2011

Image: Crocodilus et Homicida


M0583 - M0584 - M0585
584. Crocodilus et Homicida. Caedem quidam fecerat, eumque propterea hominis interfecti cognati persequebantur. Ad Nilum itaque cum pervenisset, leonem obvium videns ac timore correptus, in arborem adscendit. Ibi vero cum anguem summis in ramis delitescentem invenisset, novo metu perculsus, se in flumen proiecit, ibique a crocodilo devoratus est. Fabula significat quod nec terra, nec aer, neque ipsum aquae elementum, nullus denique locus homicidas defendit.



M0584 = Perry032. Source: De Furia 29. This is Perry 32. Compare the fable of the murderer and the mulberry tree, #718.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Image: Milvus et Falco


M0428 - M0429 - M0430
429. Milvus et Falco. Falco semel cepit milvum et firmiter cum uno pede tenuit. Et ait falco, “Miser, nonne habes tam grande corpus, caput et rostrum ut ego, pedes et ungues ita fortes? Quare permittis quod ita te teneo et cito interficiam?” Respondit milvus, “Bene scio quod ita sum fortis et membra habeo ita robusta, sed cor mihi deficit.”


(image: milvus)

M0429 = Perry612. Source: Odo, Fable 54. This is Perry 612. Compare the story of the deer who lacks courage, #153.

Friday, July 29, 2011

Image: Olores et Anseres


M0535 - M0536 - M0537
536. Olores et Anseres. Olores et anseres, amici inter se facti, exierant quondam in campos. Quibus coniunctim pascentibus, superveniunt venatores. Olores, corporis celeritate et volatu, tuto evadunt periculum. Anseres autem, natura tardiores, deserti ab amicis, in venatorum incidunt manus. Haec fabula arguit eos qui amicos suos non adiuvant totis viribus, sed produnt in periculis.



M0536 = Perry228. Source: Syntipas 60 (translated into Latin). This is Perry 228. For a story where the geese were able to fly away, see #470.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Image: Pulex et Bos


M0699 - M0700 - M0701

700. Pulex et Bos. Pulex sic olim bovem interrogavit, “Quid causae est quod tu, qui tam magnus ac fortis es, hominibus quotidie inservias, dum ego eorum carnes acriter vellico et sanguinem hianti ore bibo?” “Ego,” bos ait, “in hominum genus ingratus non sum; ipsi enim ingenti amore atque benevolentia continuo me excipiunt ac frequenter mihi frontem atque humeros fricant.” Tum pulex, ad haec respondens, “At mihi,” ait, “misero contrarium fit; nam si ab illis ego fricarer, id mihi mortem funestissimam compararet.”



M0700 = Perry273. Source: De Furia 382. This is Perry 273. For a story about an insect being crushed by a human hand, see the bald man and the fly, #684.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Image: Pirata et Alexander Rex


M0912 - M0913 - M0914

913. Pirata et Alexander Rex. Alexander olim cum pirata collocutus, “Quo,” inquit, “iure mare infestas?” “Eodem, quo tu terras,” respondit ille; “ego autem latro vocor, quod mihi una solum navicula est; tu victor appellaris, quod classes et exercitus habes. Victorum enim et piratarum maleficia differunt non meritis, sed magnitudine.”


(image: from a Confessio Amantis ms. in the Pierpont Library)

M0913 (not in Perry). Source: Potts & Darnell p. 4. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog. For other stories about Alexander, see #82, #872, or #976. See also the story of the lion’s share, #16 or #31.

Image: Rubus et Hortulanus


M0726 - M0727 - M0728

727. Rubus et Hortulanus. Rubus dixit aliquando hortulano, “Si mihi esset quispiam qui curam mei gereret, meque plantaret in medio horti et irrigaret me et coleret me, utique reges desiderarent me et aspicerent florem meum et fructum meum.” Unde accepit eum plantavitque in medio horti in optimo terrae, irrigavitque eum. Ac invaluerunt spinae eius et germina ac rami eius supra omnes arbores quae circum ipsum erat et operuerunt folia eius terram et impletus est hortus ab eo, et multitudine spinarum eius neque potuit quisquam accedere ad eum. Hoc significat eum qui conversatur cum homine malo; hunc enim quotiescumque honoras, multiplicantur malitiae eius et rebellis est et quotiescumque bene facis ei, male facit tibi.



M0727 (not in Perry). Source: Luqman. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog, but compare the Biblical fable of the trees electing a king, #726, and the story of the ivy and the wall, #736.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Image: Rhodopis et Aquila


M0948 - M0949 - M0950

949. Rhodopis et Aquila. Rhodopin meretricem omnium Aegyptiorum ferunt pulcherrimam fuisse. Cui aliquando lavanti, Fortuna (inopinatorum atque inexspectatorum amans) contulit munus non isto animo, sed venustate dignum. Cum enim lavaret atque vestimenta famulae custodirent, aquila devolans alterum calceum abstulit eumque secum deportavit Memphim, iudicium exercente Psammeticho, et in eius sinum calceum iniecit. Psammetichus, miratus pulchritudinem calcei et fabricationis artem atque concinnitatem et avis factum, mandavit ut per universam Aegyptum quaereretur femina cuius is calceus esset, eamque inventam in matrimonium accepit.



M0949 (not in Perry). Source: Aelian, Historia 13.33. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry did not use Aelian as a source. The story of the slipper belonging to Rhodopis (whose name means “rosy-faced” in Greek) is often cited as a folktale of the Cinderella type. Herodotus connects Rhodopis with Aesop, explaining that they were both slaves of a certain Iadmon on the island of Samos. Herodotus then tells us how Rhodopis was taken to Egypt, gained her freedom, and became enormously rich; he does not include the legend of the slipper in his account of Rhodopis’s story. Psammetichus was the name of several different pharaohs of Egypt. For another tale of an animal’s intervention in a human love story, apparently at divine instigation, see the story of the donkey and the wedding, #948.

Monday, July 25, 2011

Image: Naufragi Duo


M0926 - M0927 - M0928

927. Naufragi Duo. Navis quondam, procellosi maris vi allisa ad oram longinquam, mersis profundo ceteris, rusticum et sophum eiecerat, potus cibique indigos. Vident iam se fame esse perituros, et maerent. Mox tamen sophus “Bono animo es,” inquit; “me duce, fortuna melior sperari potest; hinc ad urbem proximam cito ambulemus et uberes scientiae fontes aperiam. Quid malum sit, quid bonum, quid turpe, quid decorum, gentem barbaram docebo omnesque sanctis artibus institutos adducam ut suas opes quascumque participare nobiscum velint.” At rusticus “Alimenta ventri,” inquit, “iam nimis diu inani, paranda sunt quamprimum; hac ipsa die cenare cupio.” Dixit, simulque proximum petit nemus; ramos defringit arborum, mundat, ligat, defert in urbem, venales pronuntiat, vendit, cibosque emit pecunia facta. Ars optima quae suo domino victum parat.



M0927 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 9.6 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Desbillons is retelling La Fontaine 10.16, who knows the story from Bidpai. Compare the story about the singing gnat and the practical bees, #698.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Image: Anseres et Anus


M0574 - M0575 - M0576
575. Anseres et Anus. Anus olim, quae nuper rus ex urbe venerat, cerasorum modium in vino coxit. Quod autem hunc cibum famuli edere noluerunt, anus omnia anseribus comedenda foras abiecit. Mox ancilla accurrit exclamans, “Huc cito, domina mea, festina. Anseres mortui sunt. Ecce: humi exanimes sternuntur.” “Me miseram!” anus inquit. “Quid faciam? Plumas saltem ex avibus vellite, ne eas quoque perdamus.” Itaque plumae sine mora avelluntur. Postridie tamen prima luce ancilla dominam e lecto excitavit. Horribile dictu: anseres in vitam restituti huc illuc sine plumis palabantur. Nam ebrii tantum vino facti erant, non mortui. “Heu, quid miserrimae aves facient?” anus exclamat. “Nonne plumis nudatae frigore necabuntur?” Ergo benevola anus tunicas avibus e rubro pallio fecit, et mox anseres rubris tunicis induti ruricolarum cachinnos commoverunt.



M0575 (not in Perry). Source: Thomas 61 (shortened). This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. For another case of animals drinking, see the mouse in the beer, #202.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Image: Prometheus et Manticae Duae


M0792 - M0793 - M0794

793. Prometheus et Manticae Duae. De deis unus Prometheus fuit, et de primoribus etiam. Illum finxisse ferunt dominum animantium ex humo hominem, cui duas suspendisse dicunt manticas humanis refertas malis, anticam alienis, propriis posticam, eamque multo ampliorem. Idcirco homines in aliorum malis cernunt acutum, quae autem habent domi nesciunt.



M0793 = Perry266. Source: Babrius 66 (translated into Latin prose). This is Perry 266. In other versions of this story, it is Jupiter who gives us the two bags to wear.

Friday, July 22, 2011

Image: Vultures Duo et Canes


M0459 - M0460 - M0461
460. Vultures Duo et Canes. Vultures duo, cadaver depascentes, duo ingentia frusta absciderant, quae unguibus per aera ferre decreverant, cum subito, canibus adventantibus, alter eorum, dimissa sua parte cadaveris, eiulans, statim e canum conspectu procul abiit, alter, praedae intentus, dum partem suam dimittere cunctatur, a canibus captus est. Qui dum se iam moriturum videret, “Heu,” inquit, “me miserum et infelicem, qui parvae voluptatis causa tot vitae voluptates amittam.”



M0460 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 143. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare the fable of the two ants, #649.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

Image: Cicadae et Passerculi


M0659 - M0660 - M0661
660. Cicadae et Passerculi. Arbor erat in rustici agro, fructum non ferens, sed passerculis solum et cicadis refugium praebebat. Rusticus itaque ut infructiferam caedere voluit; quapropter sumpta securi ictum intulit. Tum cicadae et passerculi, refugium ne excideret suum orabant et “Abstine, quaeso,” aiebant, “ut in hac arbore canere et te, rustice, delectare possimus.” At ille nihil curans, secundum ac tertium intulit vulnus. Ut vero arborem cavavit, apum examen una cum melle reperit. Quo gustato, securim abiecit arboremque ut sacram coluit et curavit.



M0660 = Perry299. Source: De Furia 266. This is Perry 299. Compare the story about the man who shattered a statue and found a surprise, #991.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Image: Vipera et Viator


M0621 - M0622 - M0623
622. Vipera et Viator. Vir quidam, hiberno tempore iter habens, cum viperam prae gelu morientem vidisset, misericordia motus, eam sustulit suoque in sinu refovit. Ea vero dum frigore detinebatur, quiete ac pacate se gessit. At postquam demum calefacta fuit, illico viatoris ventrem momordit. Is itaque, iamiam moriturus, “Merito quidem haec patior,” inquit, “quid enim hanc pereuntem curavi, quam etiam bene valentem interficere oportebat?”



M0622 = Perry617. Source: De Furia 130. This is Perry 617. For another fable about unwise kindness shown to a snake, see #829, or the man rescuing a dog in a well, #838.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Image: Palumbes, Cornix, et Venator


M0523 - M0524 - M0525
524. Palumbes, Cornix, et Venator. Venator, collineans, arcum tendebat, visa palumbe. Cui cornix, “Quid restitas? Hanc sagittam quae tibi minatur non vides?” “Video,” inquit illa, “sed quam venator retro ad se reducit, me petere nedum velit.” Dum misera palumbes sic ipsam se decipit, sagitta volans transverberat improvidam.



M0524 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 5.8 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For another animal with a false sense of confidence when confronted by a hunter, see the story of the rabbit, #178, or the fawn and the hunter, #154.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Image: Coriarius et Dives


M0861 - M0862 - M0863

862. Coriarius et Dives. Dives, prope coriarium habitans neque fetorem ferre valens, ut discederet instabat. Is vero id in longum differebat, brevi se discessurum promittens. Sed cum continuo maneret, tandem contigit ut alter sensim assuesceret nec amplius malo odore molestaretur. Indicat fabula consuetudine res difficiles leniri.



M0862 = Perry204. Source: De Furia 316. This is Perry 204. The tanner's trade was notoriously foul-smelling. For other examples of growing accustomed to something, see the story of the camel, #144, and the fox and the lion, #26.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Image: Colonus et Adiutores Eius


M0832 - M0833 - English - M0834

833. Colonus et Adiutores Eius. Colonus quidam, homo piger et iners, ignaviam suam semper excusabat, culpamque in alios conferens, exclamabat, “Nemo me adiuvat; adiutore opus est.” Villicus, qui querelam audierat, “Quid est?” inquit; “decem habes adiutores.” “Minime vero,” respondit colonus. Tum villicus “Sustolle,” inquit, “manus tuas. Nonne decem habes digitos? His si gnaviter uteris, numquam tibi deerunt adiutores.”



M0833 (not in Perry). Source: Potts & Darnell p. 5. This fable is not included in Perry’s catalog. For another fable on the theme of “self-help,” see the story of the farmer and Hercules, #804.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Image: Rusticus Athleta Factus


M0823 - M0824 - M0825

824. Rusticus Athleta Factus. Pater quidam filium suum cum vidisset vomerem de aratro forte excussum manus suae ictu tantum, quasi malleo, suum in locum restituisse, eum protinus Olympiam duxit, ut in pugilatu certaret. At ille artis imperitus ab adversariis male multabatur, cumque congressus cum eo, cui extrema obtigerat sors certaminis, vulneribus iam prope confectus succumberet, pater id videns, “Fili,” inclamavit, “vomerem ab aratro excussum tibi memora.” His ille excitatus adeo grave in adversarium suum vulnus intulit, ut statim victoriam reportaret.


M0824 (not in Perry). Source: De Furia 401. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; De Furia cites Pausanias 6 as his source. For a story about a less successful Olympic attempt by a rural athlete, see #251.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Image: Prometheus et Homines


M0794 - M0795 - M0796

795. Prometheus et Homines. Prometheus, Iovis imperio parens, homines et bruta finxit. Iuppiter vero, cum bruta multo plura illis esse videret, ei praecepit ut, bruta nonnulla destruens, inde alios homines efformaret. Hinc dum ille mandatum exsequitur, accidit ut nonnulli forma quidem essent humana, mente vero et animo prorsus ferino.


M0795 =  Perry240. Source: De Furia 320. This is Perry 240. For another story of human and animal shape-shifting, see the story of the cat and Venus, #397, or the ant who once was a man, #650.

Monday, July 11, 2011

Image: Iuppiter et Nux


M0771 - M0772 - M0773

772. Iuppiter et Nux. Nux, ramis ornata in orbem circinatis et ad cacumen suum sensim sese componentibus, habebat quod satis recrearet intuentium oculos adspectu lepido, at sterilis erat. Iovem igitur hoc orabat ut ex opprobrio ipsam eripere vellet. Precibus importunis cedens, Iuppiter fecunditatem tribuit et, sortem futuram recogitans, “Nunc quod impetrasti te iuvat,” ait, “nunc, sed postea nocebit.” Etenim cum illa fructus et bonos et plurimos protulisset, feminae statim et viri, pueri et puellae miseram petunt fustibus saxisque, perticisve longis verberant.



M0772 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 12.34 (adapted into prose). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For another story about the nut tree, see #717, and for a story of the revenge of the nut itself, see #965.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

Image: Fures et Rusticus


M0905 - M0906 - M0907

906. Fures et Rusticus. Dum rusticus agnum portaret ad vendendum, quidam truphator ait sociis suis, “Facite quod dicam vobis et gratis habebimus agnum illum.” Et posuit eos in diversis locis separatim, unum post unum. Transeunte autem rustico, primus ait, “Homo, vis vendere canem illum?” At ille pro minimo reputavit et processit. Cum autem veniret ubi alius stabat, dixit ille, “Frater, vis mihi vendere canem illum?” “Domine, noli me irridere; non fero canem sed agnum.” Cum autem idem tertius dixisset, coepit rusticus admirari et erubescere. Quarto autem et quinto idem dicentibus, tandem opinionibus multorum acquiescens, ait, “Novit Deus quia credebam quod esset agnus, sed quia canis est, de cetero non portabo illum,” et, proiecto agno, recessit. At illi tulerunt eum et comederunt.



M0906 (not in Perry). Source: De Vitry 20 (shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it is a story found in the Panchatantra tradition. Compare the story of the farmer who disguises his words in order to fool the birds, #476, or the story of the man, his son, and the donkey, #935.

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Image: Oculi et Mel


M0751 - M0752 - M0753

752. Oculi et Mel. Cum oculi se putarent magni esse pretii, os autem viderent aliis omnibus frui, atque etiam melle dulcissimo. Indignati sunt accusaruntque hominem. Qui postquam et illis mel indidit, senserunt morsum lacrimaruntque, asperum illud et iniucundum ducentes.



M0752 = Perry461. Source: Dio Chrysostom (translated into Latin). This is Perry 461. Compare the story of the stomach and the limbs, #751, or the story of the snake’s tail, #620.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Image: Iuppiter et Apollo


M0765 - M0766 - M0767

766. Iuppiter et Apollo. Iuppiter et Apollo de iaculandi arte contendebant. Phoebus itaque cum arcum intendisset sagittamque emisisset, Iuppiter tantum spatii uno gressu confecit quantum Apollinis emissa sagitta. Sic qui cum praestantioribus contendunt, non modo eos non assequuntur, sed et risum pariunt sibi.



M0766 = Perry104. Source: De Furia 274. This is Perry 104. Apollo is the god of archery but, as this fable shows, Jupiter is supreme! For another fable involving both Apollo and Jupiter, see #985.

Image: Hedera et Murus


M0735 - M0736 - M0737

736. Hedera et Murus. Hedera muro blandiens dixit, “Permitte ut ego, fragilis et nescia me sustinere, tibi tam stabili et tam firmo adhaeream.” Murus haud renuit. At postmodum, stirpibus hac illac furtim permeantibus, ille hanc lapidum compaginem laxare et cementa solvere queritur; herum rogat communem consortium disrumpere velit et plantam nocivo foedere sibi iugatam procul eiicere. Herus muri querentis preces audit et approbat, et noxias stirpes revellere tentat. At, cum per omnes muri cavos penetrassent et internodiis tenacibus haererent, intellegit eas iam revelli non posse, quin ipse murus vel inclinetur, vel etiam ruat. Ideoque timens ne damnum maius eveniat, commercium malum dirimere non audet. Fabula hunc monet quisquis temere sinit se vinculo societatis arcto alligari.




M0736 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 8.6 (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 hedgehogs as houseguests that won’t go away, #183.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Image: Salix et Cunei


M0723 - M0724 - M0725

724. Salix et Cunei. Securis cedebat salicem et ex truncis sectis cuneos faciebat, quo facilius salicem scinderet. Intellegens salix et videns in quem usum ac finem sic in minuta caederetur, eiulans dicebat, “Heu me infortunatam! Non satis est me scindi, nisi etiam de corpore meo cunei fierent in meam ruinam?”



M0724 =  Perry303. Source: Irenaeus 27. This is Perry 303. Compare the fable of the eagle and the arrow, #414.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Image: Quercus et Glires


M0705 - M0706 - M0707

706. Quercus et Glires. Glires quercum arborem glandiferam dentibus eruere destinaverant, quo paratiorem haberent cibum ne victus gratia toties ascendere et descendere cogerentur. Sed quidam ex eis, qui aetate et usu rerum ac prudentia ceteros longe anteibat, eos absterruit, dicens, “Si nutricem nostram nunc interficiemus, quis futuris annis nobis ac posteris nostris alimenta praebebit?”



M0706 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 35. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare the fable of the frogs who unwisely destroy their own habitat, #734.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Image: Scarabaeus Alte Volans


M0686 - M0687 - M0688
687. Scarabaeus Alte Volans. Scarabaeus quidam, de fimario exiens saturatus, vidit aquilam in alto volantem. Tunc sociis suis dixit, “Ecce aquila, rostro ferox et unguibus, fortis corpore, velox alis. Cum vult, usque ad nubes ascendit et ad libitum suum velociter ima petit. Nos vero nec cum vermibus nec cum avibus computamur. Verumtamen aquila nec voce suavior, nec colore nitidior me existit. Fimarium de cetero non intrabo. Quin immo, volucribus me coniungens, cum ipsis ubicumque volitans conversabor.” Tunc, in altum se tollens, canere coepit murmure turpi et, dum sequi aquilam in sublimibus niteretur, auram asperiorem non sustinens, cecidit, concussus et attonitus, longe extra terminos assuetos ubi, fame periclitans, ait tristis, “Animo non curarem utrum vermis aut volucris reputarer, dum tamen ad antiquum possem fimarium pervenire.”



M0687 = Perry650. Source: Romulus Anglicus, App. 7 (shortened). This is Perry 650. Compare the fable of the eagle and the turtle, #407.

Monday, July 4, 2011

Image: Apes et Agricola


M0674 - M0675 - M0676
675. Apes et Agricola. Agricola, ictus ab ape, admirabatur ut ex eodem ore succus tam suavis et stimulus tanti doloris exiret. Respondit apes, “Quo beneficentior sum, eo maiori odio prosequor mihi inferentes iniuriam.” Fabula indicat quo magis homines benefici sunt, eo minus iniurias tolerare.



M0675 (not in Perry). Source: Abstemius 163. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry omitted most of Abstemius’s fables. Compare the story of the satyr who is suspicious of the man who blows hot and cold, #809.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Image: Serpens et Rosa


M0617 - M0618 - M0619
618. Serpens et Rosa. Serpens erat qui ferebat pulchram rosam in ore. Quidam, attendens tantam rosae pulchritudinem, coepit eam palpare et odorem cum naso attrahere. Et, quia venenum non attendit, infestus veneno periit. Ita adulator pulchra verba habet exterius, sed latet venenum interius.



M0618 (not in Perry). Source: De Vitry 147. This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; Perry was not systematic in his coverage of medieval sources. Compare this medieval fable with the traditional Aesop’s fable about Jupiter and the snake with a rose, #773.

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Image: Rana, Ciconia, et Lacerta


M0603 - M0604 - M0605
604. Rana, Ciconia, et Lacerta. Rana a colubro perniciem sibi valde timebat. At ciconia interim colubrum in pratulo dormientem videt; devolat et ipsum vorat. Rana omnia adspicit et, causa sui rem peragi putans, ciconiam adire properat, ut gratias persolvat et ipsi in clientelam se conferat. Sed forte obviam habet lacertam, quae admonet, “Quod credis, O soror, hanc avem magnam et potentem bene tibi voluisse, falleris multum. Verum unice id expetebat, scilicet praedam sibi occurrere qua famem explere posset. Quod si praeda, quam nunc depascitur, inventa non fuisset, famelica procul dubio ad genus meum vel tuum se vertisset.” Lacerta vix finierat, rana tremens se sustulit nec subsilire destitit donec lacum attigit et imo vado se recondidit. Potentes, si forte infirmis prosint, sola sua utilitas movet.



M0604 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 11.30 (adapted into prose; shortened). This fable is not in Perry’s catalog; it appears original to Desbillons, as he cites no source. For other fables where the stork is a danger for the frog, see #473 or #605.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Image: Crocodili Ova et Gallina


M0582 - M0583 - M0584
583. Crocodili Ova et Gallina. Gallina olim ova crocodili reperit et incubavit dum fetus excluderet. At illi vix vita frui incoeperunt, morsibus diris altricem enecarunt. Quisquis malos educat, malum sibi fovet.



M0583 (not in Perry). Source: Desbillons 5.10 (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 serpent’s eggs, #564.