The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree

Summary

This short fable teaches a lesson about adaptability and humility through the story of an Olive-Tree and a Fig-Tree. The Olive-Tree boasts about staying green all year, while the Fig-Tree sheds its leaves with the seasons. When a snowstorm occurs, the snow accumulates on the Olive-Tree's dense foliage, causing its branches to break and ultimately killing the tree. In contrast, the Fig-Tree, having no leaves for the snow to settle on, remains unharmed as the snow falls straight to the ground. The story highlights the importance of adapting to seasonal changes and suggests that pride in one's unchanging nature can lead to downfall, while flexibility can offer protection and resilience.

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The Olive-Tree ridiculed the Fig-Tree because, while she was green all the year round, the Fig-Tree changed its leaves with the seasons. A shower of snow fell upon them, and, finding the Olive full of foliage, it settled upon its branches and broke them down with its weight, at once despoiling it of its beauty and killing the tree. But finding the Fig-Tree denuded of leaves, the snow fell through to the ground, and did not injure it at all.