FABLE LXIII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
It was a very, very cold day. Snow fell softly in the big forest. The wind blew hard. The kind Forest Man walked in the snow. He saw a man. The Cold Man was very cold. His nose was red. His fingers were stiff. He shivered much.
The Forest Man felt sad for him. It was a safe place. He wanted to help. "Come to my home," he said. "My home is a warm cave. It is cozy inside. Cold Man followed.
They went inside the cave. A big fire burned there. Smoke went up. The fire crackled loud. The cave was warm now. The air felt good. The Cold Man sat near the fire. He blew on his hands.
The Forest Man saw this. He watched closely. "Why do you blow?" he asked. The Cold Man said, "I blow. My hands get warm." Forest Man surprised. He had never seen this. It was a new thing. He did not know this magic.
The Forest Man thought, "This is special! He can make warm air." He felt happy. He wanted to be very kind. He smiled wide. He brought many things. He gave the Cold Man warm food. He gave him warm fruit. He gave him a warm drink.
The Cold Man took the warm drink. He held the cup. The cup was hot. He looked at the drink. Steam came up. Then he blew on the drink. He blew with force. He blew on it again and again.
Forest Man asked, "Why blow?" Cold Man blew. The drink gets cool. "It is too hot." Forest Man surprised. He looked confused. His face changed. This was strange. He did not understand this.
The Forest Man was not happy. His brow furrowed. He thought, "This is not right! He blows hot, then cold. Heart bad." He felt very angry. This was a trick. He looked at the Cold Man.
The Forest Man said, "Go away! You say one thing. Then you say another. I do not like that. I do not like you." He pointed to the door. "Go now!" he said. His voice was firm. He asked the Cold Man to leave.
The Forest Man learned a lesson that day. It is not good to say one thing and then another. Always be honest and true. That is the best way to be a friend.
Original Story
FABLE LXIII.
THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER.
A Satyr, as he was ranging the forest in an exceedingly cold, snowy season, met with a Traveller half starved with the extremity of the weather. He took compassion on him, and kindly invited him home to a warm, comfortable cave he had in a hollow of a rock. As soon as they had entered and sat down, notwithstanding there was a good fire in the place, the chilled Traveller could not forbear blowing his finger-ends.
Upon the Satyr asking him why he did so, he answered that he did it to warm his hands. The honest Sylvan having seen little of the world, admired a man who was master of so valuable a quality as that of blowing heat; and, therefore, was resolved to entertain him in the best manner he could. He spread the table before him with dried fruits of several sorts, and produced a remnant of cold cordial wine, which, as the rigour of the season made very proper, he mulled with some warm spices, over the fire, and presented to his shivering guest. But this the Traveller thought fit to blow likewise; and upon the Satyr's demanding the reason why he blowed again, he replied, to cool the dish.
This second answer provoked the Satyr's indignation, as much as the first had kindled his surprise; so, taking the man by the shoulder, he thrust him out, saying he would have nothing to do with a wretch who had so vile a quality as to blow hot and cold with the same mouth.
MORAL.
Double dealing is always detestable. The man that blows hot and cold at the same time is not worthy to be trusted; the sooner we part from him the better.
Story DNA
Moral
Double dealing is always detestable; a person who blows hot and cold with the same mouth is not worthy of trust.
Plot Summary
A compassionate Satyr invites a freezing Traveller into his warm cave. The Satyr is surprised when the Traveller blows on his hands to warm them. Later, when the Satyr offers mulled wine, the Traveller blows on it again, this time to cool it. Enraged by this contradictory behavior, the Satyr expels the Traveller, declaring he wants nothing to do with someone who can blow both hot and cold with the same mouth, illustrating the detestable nature of double-dealing.
Themes
Emotional Arc
compassion to indignation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often feature anthropomorphic animals or mythological creatures to convey moral lessons, a tradition dating back to Aesop.
Plot Beats (9)
- During a cold, snowy season, a Satyr finds a Traveller suffering from the extreme weather.
- The Satyr, taking pity, invites the Traveller to his warm cave.
- Inside the cave, by a fire, the Traveller blows on his finger-ends.
- The Satyr asks why, and the Traveller replies it is to warm his hands.
- Impressed by this ability, the Satyr resolves to entertain the Traveller well, offering dried fruits and mulled wine.
- The Traveller then blows on the mulled wine.
- The Satyr asks why he is blowing again, and the Traveller explains it is to cool the dish.
- Provoked by this contradictory behavior, the Satyr becomes indignant.
- The Satyr thrusts the Traveller out of his cave, stating he will not associate with someone who blows hot and cold with the same mouth.
Characters
The Satyr
A creature of the forest, likely of medium height with a sturdy, muscular build, covered in coarse, dark fur. His legs are goat-like, ending in cloven hooves, and a short, bristly tail protrudes from his lower back. His hands are human-like but strong and calloused from forest life.
Attire: No formal clothing, but perhaps a simple loincloth made of rough hide or woven leaves, or entirely nude as is common for satyrs, relying on his fur for warmth in the cold.
Wants: To offer shelter and warmth to a suffering creature, and to understand the ways of the world.
Flaw: Naivety and a lack of understanding of human duplicity, leading him to be easily surprised and then deeply offended by perceived inconsistency.
He begins as a compassionate and naive host, but through the Traveller's actions, he learns about human duplicity and becomes indignant, choosing to expel those he perceives as untrustworthy.
Compassionate, hospitable, naive, observant, indignant.
The Traveller
A human of average height and build, appearing gaunt and chilled from exposure to extreme cold. His skin is likely pale or bluish from the cold, with chapped lips and reddened nose.
Attire: Practical, heavy winter clothing suitable for a traveler in a snowy season, likely made of wool or thick linen, perhaps a hooded cloak, tunic, and trousers, all appearing worn and possibly patched. Colors would be muted, earthy tones like grey, brown, or dark green.
Wants: To survive the harsh weather and find warmth and sustenance.
Flaw: His pragmatic actions, while logical to him, are perceived as duplicitous by the Satyr, leading to his expulsion.
He begins as a desperate, freezing individual seeking help and ends up expelled for his perceived 'double dealing', failing to understand the Satyr's simple worldview.
Resourceful, pragmatic, inconsistent (from the Satyr's perspective), perhaps a bit opportunistic.
Locations
Snowy Forest
A dense, ancient forest covered in a thick blanket of fresh snow, with trees (likely fir or pine given the cold climate) heavily laden. The air is extremely cold and biting.
Mood: Desolate, harsh, dangerous, unforgiving
The Satyr encounters the half-starved Traveller, offering him shelter.
Satyr's Cave Dwelling
A warm, comfortable cave carved into a hollow of a rock, providing shelter from the harsh winter. It contains a good, roaring fire and a simple table.
Mood: Warm, cozy, rustic, initially hospitable, later tense
The Satyr hosts the Traveller, observing his peculiar habit of blowing hot and cold, leading to the Traveller's expulsion.