Simplified Fable 9: Vulpes et Pardus

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 9: De Vulpe et Pardo, the debate between the fox and the leopard about different kinds of beauty.

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:

Vulpes et Pardus de pulchritudine concertabant et, Pardo suam pellem versicolorem extollente, Vulpes, cum suam praeponere non possit, dicebat Pardo, “At quanto ego sum speciosior, et quam longe formosior, quae non corpus, sed animum versicolorem et variis notis insignem sortita sum?”

Here are the simplified sentences:

Vulpes et Pardus concertabant.

Vulpes et Pardus de pulchritudine concertabant.
The prepositional phrase expands on the sentence.

Pardus suam pellem extollebat.
This is expressed as a participle in the original.

Pardus dicebat:
The leopard's words are not reported directly in the original.

"Pellis mea versicolor est!"

Pardus suam pellem versicolorem extollebat.

Vulpes suam pellem praeponere non potebat.
This is expressed as a cum clause in the original.

Pardo suam pellem versicolorem extollente, Vulpes suam pellem praeponere non potebat.
The ablative absolute combines the two statements.

Vulpes Pardo dicebat:

Vulpes, cum suam pellem praeponere non possit, dicebat Pardo:
The cum clause combines the two sentences.

"Tu es speciosus."
This statement provides the basis for the comparison.

"Sed ego sum speciosior."

"Quanto ego sum speciosior!"
The ablative expresses the degree of difference in the comparison.

"Tu es formosus."
This statement provides the basis for the comparison.

"Sed ego sum formosior."

"Quam longe sum formosior!"
The adverbial phrase expresses the degree of difference in the comparison.

"Corpus tuum versicolor est."
This statement provides the basis for the fox's comparison between body and soul/mind.

"Sed animus meus versicolor est."

"Animus meus versicolor et insignis est."
The single adjective is expanded into a compound adjectival phrase.

"Animus meus variis notis insignis est."
The ablative expands on the adjective.

"Ego animum versicolorem sortita sum."
The statement is now made using the deponent verb, sortita sum.

"Non corpus, sed animum versicolorem sortita sum."
The contrast is created between body and soul/mind.

"Non corpus, sed animum versicolorem et variis notis insignem sortita sum."

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