Simplified Fable 10: Rusticus et Silva

Now that I have finished the Segmented Grammar Commentaries on the fables (see the Complete Fables List for links), I'll be working through the fables again, this time providing "Simplified" versions of the fables. So, here is today's Simplified fable - Fable 10: De Rustico et Silva, the story of the trees who foolishly gave the peasant a handle for his axe!

For more information about how these simplified versions of the fable can be useful to you, see this note about Simplified Fables at the Aesopus Ning.

Here is a Google Presentation version (larger version also available):



The original version is as follows:

Accedebat Silvam Rusticus et rogabat Arbores ut sibi lignum concederent, ex quo ansam securis fabricaret. Concedebant lignum illi Arbores, quod ad domum deportabat. Quo mox ad securim adaptato, ad Silvam redibat et omnes Arbores ad unum detruncabat.

Here are the simplified sentences:

Accedebat Silvam Rusticus.

Rusticus Arboribus dicebat:
The peasant's request to the trees is not reported directly in the original.

"Lignum mihi concedite!"

"Ex ligno ansam fabricabo."
The purpose is expressed as a relative clause in the original.

"Ex ligno securis ansam fabricabo."
The genitive securis tells what the handle is for.

Rusticus rogabat ut Arbores sibi lignum concederent.
Now the peasant's request is expressed as an ut clause.

Rusticus rogabat ut Arbores sibi lignum concederent, ex quo ansam securis fabricaret.
The peasant's further purpose is expressed as a relative clause.

Concedebant lignum Rustico Arbores.

Rusticus lignum ad domum deportabat.

Rusticus lignum ad securim adaptavit.
This statement is expressed as an ablative absolute in the original.

Rusticus mox lignum ad securim adaptavit.
The adverb expands on the sentence.

Lignum mox ad securim adaptatum est.
The active sentence is made passive.

Rusticus ad Silvam redibat.

Ligno mox ad securim adaptato, Rusticus ad Silvam redibat.
The ablative absolute construction combines the two statements.

Rusticus Arbores detruncabat.

Rusticus omnes Arbores detruncabat.
The adjective expands on the sentence.

Rusticus omnes Arbores ad unum detruncabat.
The prepositional phrase expands on the peasant's actions.

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