The sow and the bitch were trading insults. The sow swore by Aphrodite that she would tear the bitch to pieces with her teeth. The bitch replied ironically, "It's quite right of you to swear by Aphrodite: it shows plainly how tenderly she loves you, she who absolutely refuses to admit into her temple anyone who has tasted your impure flesh." "That is one more proof that the goddess cherishes me," retorted the sow, "since she absolutely rejects anyone who kills me or mistreats me in any way. As for you, you smell bad, both in your lifetime and after your death."
Clever speakers cleverly turn their enemies' insults into their own praise.
Nº 3The Eagle and the FoxAn eagle and a fox became friends and chose to live near one another. But the eagle, from her high nest, swooped down, carried off the fox's cubs,…Read the fable →
Nº 4The Eagle and the BeetleAn eagle was chasing a hare, who in his terror begged a lowly dung beetle for protection. The beetle pleaded for the hare's life, but the eagle,…Read the fable →
Nº 15The Goat and the GoatherdA goatherd was calling his goats back to the fold. One of them had lingered over some tempting pasture, so he threw a stone at her, and aimed so well…Read the fable →