Simplified Fable 13: Lupi et Oves

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 13: De Lupis et Ovibus, the story of the disastrous treaty between the wolves and the sheep.

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:

Foedus aliquando fuit inter Lupos et Oves, quibus natura discordia est. Obsides utrimque tradebantur. Oves, in suam partem, vigilem Canum custodiam, Lupi suos Catulos tradiderunt. Quietis Ovibus ac pascentibus, Lupuli matrum desiderio ululatus edunt. Tum Lupi irruentes foedus fidemque solutam clamitant, Ovesque, Canum praesidio destitutas, laniant.

Here are the simplified sentences:

Foedus fuit inter Lupos et Oves.

Foedus aliquando fuit inter Lupos et Oves.
The adverb expands on the sentence.

Lupis et Ovibus discordia est.

Natura Lupis et Ovibus discordia est.

Foedus aliquando fuit inter Lupos et Oves, quibus natura discordia est.
The relative clause connects the two statements.

Lupi et Oves obsides tradebant.
An active statement (it is passive in the original).

Obsides tradebantur.
The statement is made passive.

Obsides utrimque tradebantur.
The pronominal adverb expands on the action.

Oves Canes tradiderunt.

Oves Canum custodiam tradiderunt.
The simple noun is replaced by a noun phrase.

Oves vigilem Canum custodiam tradiderunt.
The adjective expands on the noun phrase.

Oves, in suam partem, vigilem Canum custodiam tradiderunt.
The prepositional phrase expands on the sentence.

Lupi Ovibus suos Catulos tradiderunt.

Oves, in suam partem, vigilem Canum custodiam, Lupi suos Catulos tradiderunt.
The parallelism makes it possible to combine the two statements.

Oves quietae sunt.
This is just a participle in the original.

Oves quietae sunt et pascuntur.
There is now a compound verb phrase.

Lupuli ululatus edunt.

Lupuli matrum desiderio ululatus edunt.
The ablative phrase expands on the verbal action.

Quietis Ovibus ac pascentibus, Lupuli matrum desiderio ululatus edunt.
An ablative absolute combines the two statements.

Tum Lupi irruunt.
This is just a participle in the original.

Lupi clamitant:

Lupi irruentes clamitant:
The participle combines the two statements.

"Foedus solutum est! Fides soluta est!"
A direct statement by the wolves (it is indirect in the original).

Lupi foedus fidemque solutam esse clamitant.
The direct statement is made indirect.

Oves Canum praesidio destitutae sunt!
This statement is simply a participle in the original.

Lupi Oves laniant.

Oves, Canum praesidio destitutas, laniant.
The participle combines the two sentences.

---

The Aesopus Ning is now open for business - so, for more fables and to share your questions and comments with others, come visit the Ning!