Simplified Fable 16: Cicada et Formica

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 16: De Cicada et Formica, the story of the hard-working ant and the carefree cricket.

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:

Dum per aestatem Cicada cantat, Formica suam exercet messem, trahendo in antra grana et in hiemem reponendo. Saeviente autem bruma, famelica Cicada venit ad Formicam et mendicat victum; renuebat autem Formica, dictitans sese laborasse, dum illa cantabat.

Here are the simplified sentences:

Cicada cantat.
This statement is part of a dum clause in the original.

Per aestatem Cicada cantat.
The prepositional phrase expands on the statement.

Formica exercet messem.

Formica exercet suam messem.
The adjective modifies the noun.

Formica suam exercet messem.
The noun phrase wraps around the verb.

Dum per aestatem Cicada cantat, Formica suam exercet messem.
The dum clause combines the two statements.

Formica trahit grana.
This is expressed with a gerund in the original.

Formica trahit in antra grana.
The prepositional phrase expands on the statement.

Formica grana reponit.
This is expressed with a gerund in the original.

Formica grana in hiemem reponit.
The prepositional phrase expands on the statement.

Formica suam exercet messem, trahendo in antra grana et in hiemem reponendo.
The gerunds are able to combine the statements.

Bruma saevit.
This is an ablative absolute in the original.

Cicada famelica est.
This is simply an adjective in the original.

Saeviente bruma, Cicada famelica est.
The ablative absolute combines the two statements.

Cicada venit ad Formicam.

Saeviente bruma, famelica Cicada venit ad Formicam
The adjective is able to combine the two sentences.

Cicada victum mendicat.

Renuebat Formica.

Formica dictitabat:
This is simply a participle in the original.

"Ego laborabam!"
The ant's direct speech is not given in the original.

"Tu cantabas!"
This is expressed as a dum clause in the original.

"Ego laborabam, dum tu cantabas!"
The dum clause is able to combine the two statements.

Formica dictitabat sese laborasse, dum illa cantabat.
The words are now reported as indirect speech.

Renuebat Formica, dictitans sese laborasse, dum illa cantabat.
The participle combines the statements.

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