Character Index | Proverb Index
|
|
| Character Index | Proverb Index |
The beasts were arguing among themselves about which of the animals produced the greatest number of whelps at birth. They laughed at the Lioness when she said she only had one. The Lioness laughed back, saying: "But, that one is altogether a thoroughbred Lion."
Townsend version
A controversy prevailed among the beasts of the field as to which of the animals deserved the most credit for producing the greatest number of whelps at a birth. They rushed clamorously into the presence of the Lioness and demanded of her the settlement of the dispute. "And you," they said, "how many sons have you at a birth?' The Lioness laughed at them, and said: "Why! I have only one; but that one is altogether a thoroughbred Lion."
Moral
The value is in the worth, not in the number.
L'Estrange version (A Lyoness and A Fox)
A numerous issue passes in the world for a blessing; and this consideration made a fox cast it in the teeth of a lyoness, that she brought forth but one whelp at a time. Very right, says the other, but then that one is a lyon.
Moral
'Tis a common thing to value things more by the number, then by the excellency of them.
Comments? Please use the contact
page form.
Copyright © 2002
Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved