Simplified Fable 32: De Columbis et Accipitre

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 32: De Columbis et Accipitre, the story of the foolish doves who chose the hawk to be their king.

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:

Columbae olim cum Milvo haud incruentum gerebant bellum et, ut Milvum penitus expugnarent, delegerunt sibi regem Accipitrem. Qui rex factus, hostem agit, non regem. Nam, non segnius ac Milvus, Columbas rapit laniatque. Paenitebat igitur Columbas incepti, satius fuisse putantes bella pati Milvi quam Accipitris subire tyrannidem.

Here are the simplified sentences as they appear in the slideshow:

Columbae gerebant bellum.

Columbae cum Milvo gerebant bellum.

Bellum haud incruentum erat!

Columbae cum Milvo haud incruentum gerebant bellum.

Columbae olim cum Milvo haud incruentum gerebant bellum.

Columbae dixerunt:

"Milvum expugnemus!"

"Milvum penitus expugnemus!"

Columbae delegerunt sibi regem.

Ut Milvum penitus expugnarent, Columbae delegerunt sibi regem.

Ut Milvum penitus expugnarent, Columbae delegerunt sibi regem Accipitrem.

Accipiter rex factus est.

Sed Accipiter regem non agit.

Accipiter hostem agit!

Accipiter, rex factus, hostem agit, non regem.

Accipiter Columbas rapit.

Accipiter Columbas laniat.

Accipiter Columbas rapit laniatque.

Accipiter, non segnius ac Milvus, Columbas rapit laniatque.

Paenitebat Columbas.

Paenitebat Columbas incepti.

Columbae putabant:

"Olim bella Milvi patiebamur."

"Olim bella patiebamur Milvi."

"Nunc Accipitris tyrannidem subimus."

"Nunc Accipitris subimus tyrannidem."

"Satius fuisset bella pati Milvi quam Accipitris subire tyrannidem."

Columbae putabant satius fuisse bella pati Milvi quam Accipitris subire tyrannidem.

Paenitebat Columbas incepti, putantes satius fuisse bella pati Milvi quam Accipitris subire tyrannidem.

---

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!