The Dormice and the Oak Tree

The Dormice and the Oak Tree. The dormice had decided to use their teeth to uproot the acorn-bearing oak tree so that they could more easily get their food and not have to be going up and down the tree every time they wanted to eat. But one of the dormice, who was far older and wiser and more practical than the others, deterred them from this plan when he said, "If we kill our foster-mother now, who will there be in years to come to supply food for us and for our posterity?"

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?"

Notes. This is Abstemius 35. As usual with Abstemius, it is not found in Perry's inventory. Not only is this the only fable that I have about dormice, it is also a very wise fable with a profound message for us humans to consider, too.