Ancient Tides

Fable 203 ~ THE OLIVE TREE AND THE FIG TREE

When a fig tree lost all of her leaves during the winter, a nearby olive tree made fun of her nakedness. “In both winter and summer,” the olive tree said, “I am beautifully adorned with leaves, ever green with new life, whereas your beauty lasts only as long as the summer.” While the olive tree was boasting, the snow began to fall. The white flakes clung to the leaves of the olive tree, piling up on her branches until they cracked under the weight and crashed to the ground, ruining the tree. Meanwhile the fig tree stood by, safe and sound.

Moral: People who boast of their wealth or their fortune can meet with unexpected disaster.