The Eel and the Snake

The Eel and the Snake. The eel asked the snake why, given that they were similar and related to one another, the people persecuted eels but left the snakes alone. The snake replied, "The reason is that it is a rare man who wounds me with impunity."

Anguilla et Serpens. Anguilla interrogabat Serpentem quare, cum similes essent atque cognati, homines tamen se, potius quam illum, insequerentur. Cui Serpens "Quia rarus," inquit, "me laedit impune."

Notes. This is Abstemius 17 . As usual with Abstemius, it is not found in Perry's inventory. Although there are a few proverbs about eels, they are not featured in Aesop's fables; I think this is the only fable I have about an eel - except, of course, for the mysterious joking fable that Demades may, or may not have been, making up on the spot when he mocked his audience in Athens!