One day the trees set about electing a king to rule over them, and they said to the olive, "Reign over us." And the olive replied, "I, give up the rich oil so prized in me by God and by men, to go and reign over the trees?" And the trees said to the fig, "Come and reign over us." And the fig too replied, "I, give up the sweetness that is in me and the excellent fruit I bear, to go and reign over the trees?" And the trees said to the thornbush, "Come and reign over us." And the thornbush replied to the trees, "If you truly anoint me to reign over you, come and take shelter under me; if not, let fire come out of the thornbush, and devour the cedars of Lebanon!"
*The best decline power; the worthless seize it, and threaten those they ought to shelter.
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 324The Pomegranate, the Apple Tree, the Olive, and the BrambleThe pomegranate, the apple tree, and the olive were disputing over the quality of their fruit. As the argument grew heated, a bramble that was…Read the fable →
Nº 18The Ugly Slave and AphroditeAn ugly, ill-natured slave was loved by her master. With the money he gave her she decked herself in glittering finery and set herself up as a rival…Read the fable →