Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Tree Trunk and the Oxen

The Tree Trunk and the Oxen.The trunk of an elm tree was complaining about the oxen: "You ungrateful creatures, for such a long time I nourished you with my branches but now you are dragging me, your own nurse, through the rocks and the mud." The oxen replied, "Our groans and signs and the goad that pricks us should teach you that we are dragging you against our will." The tree-trunk forgave them. This fable teaches us not to get angry at those who harm us against their will.

Trabs et Boves. Trabs Ulmea de Bobus conquerebatur, dicens, "Ingrati, ego multo tempore meis vos frondibus alui; vos vero me nutricem vestram per saxa et luta trahitis." Cui Boves, "Gemitus suspiriaque nostra et stimulus quo pungimur te docere possunt quod te trahamus inviti." Ignovit trabs. Morale. Haec nos docet fabula ne in eos excandescamus, qui non sua sponte nos laedunt.

Notes. This is Abstemius 11 . As usual with Abstemius, it is not found in Perry's inventory. There are plenty of Aesopic fables that feature talking trees; I especially like the fables where the trees and other plant life are able to carry on a conversation with animals, as here in this fable.

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