Absolutely Fabulous: Today's E2MQ

We are NOT referring to the long-running British sitcom (aka, Ab Fab), but a little Monday wisdom from Patsy and Edina never hurt anyone.

The "fabulist" of whom we speak today is none other than the world's most-famous, Aesop, a contemporary of Solon and Croesus in mid-6th century BC Greece.

Like the formerly-referenced Roman in last week's blog, tradition suggests that Aesop was a slave, but from the island of Samos, who also won his freedom due to his wit. However, Aesop's wit, unlike that of Publilius Syrus, may have cost him his life.

A legend developed in the 1st century AD that Aesop, recognized for his speaking and storytelling skills, was tasked by his master, Xanthus, to act as an emissary between the residents of Samos (a Greek island in the eastern Aegean) and Croesus (as in "Rich as..."), king of the Lydian Empire (much of today's western Turkey). Having successfully fulfilled his diplomatic mission, Aesop was said to have travelled to various courts in Babylon and Egypt and ended up in Apollo's sacred city of Delphi, site of the most important oracle in ancient Greece.

It seems that Aesop made himself distinctly unpopular with the citizens of Delphi. The technique that boosted the stature of Aesop's fables came from his artistic skill of endowing animals with human traits and skills. His stories, thereby, could simultaneously instruct and critique without giving personal offense to the listener.

Well, that's what Wikipedia says! But the Delphians weren't amused by the hare, tortoise, fox, grasshopper and others. They found Aesop's fables insulting, and so they trumped up a charge of theft, and sentenced Aesop to death. Just before they chucked the fabulist off a cliff, he cursed them by saying, "You may kill me, but my unjust death will bring you great misfortune."

Guess what happened to Delphi? They faced a protracted period, confirmed by none other than the Oracle of Apollo, of pestilence, famine, and warfare. And all because they "dissed" Aesop!

Now, about that quiz...


Scholars suggest that the animals found is Aesop's Fables are, by universal consent, representative of certain specific attributes. Some of these characteristics are: Cunning, Timidity, Boldness, Cruelty, Strength, Pride, and Patience. Can you name each animal used by Aesop to represent each specific trait?

Finally, in response to one reader's request that every blog should have a bit of shared wisdom, I offer the following video. You have a choice: To watch the pertinent section, push the slide to the first dot. about 5 minutes 28 seconds. Or, if you want a full dose of Moose & Squirrel wisdom, watch the whole shebang!

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