FABLE LXXVI
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
There was an old farmer. He was very sick. He had three sons. The Old Farmer was dying. He called his sons to his bed. He wanted them to farm. He wanted them to work the land always.
The Old Farmer talked to his sons. He said, "This farm is your gift." He said, "This vineyard is your gift." "It is for you," he said. "Do not sell the land. Keep the farm. Keep the vineyard. It is important."
The Old Farmer spoke again. He said, "I have a treasure." "It is here on the farm." "It is in the ground." "It is not deep." "You must find this treasure." "Look for the treasure. Find it."
The sons heard "treasure." The First Son thought of gold. The Other Sons thought of gold. They thought of many coins. They were very excited. They wanted the gold. They wanted to find it.
The Old Farmer died. The sons were sad. Then they remembered the treasure. The First Son took a shovel. The Other Sons took tools. They went to the farm. They dug the land. They dug the vineyard. They dug all the ground. They dug and dug and dug. They looked for the gold.
The sons looked and looked. They looked for gold. They found no gold. No coins were there. They were very tired. They were very sad. They found no treasure.
But the ground was soft now. They dug it well. The ground was good. They put seeds in it. The seeds grew very fast. Many plants grew. Many fruits grew. Many vegetables grew. The farm was full of good food. The harvest was big.
The sons had much food. They sold some food. They got much money. This was the real treasure. It was not gold coins. It was hard work. Hard work is good. The sons learned a big lesson. Hard work is a real treasure. It makes you happy. It makes you strong.
Original Story
FABLE LXXVI.
THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS.
A certain Husbandman, lying at the point of death, and being desirous his sons should pursue that innocent, entertaining course of agriculture in which he himself had been engaged all his life, made use of this expedient to induce them to it. He called them to his bed-side and spoke to this effect: "All the patrimony I have to bequeath you, Sons, is my farm and my vineyard, of which I make you joint heirs. But I charge you not to let it go out of your own occupation; for if I have any treasure besides, it lies buried somewhere in the ground, within a foot of the surface."
This made the Sons conclude that he talked of money which he had hid there; so, after their father's death, with unwearied diligence and application, they carefully dug up every inch, both of the farm and vineyard; from which it came to pass that, though they missed the treasure which they expected, the ground, by being so well stirred and loosened, produced so plentiful a crop of all that was sowed in it as proved a real, and no inconsiderable treasure.
MORAL.
Labour and industry, well applied, seldom fail of finding a rich treasure. And if these do not give us exactly the wealth we are looking for, they will certainly give us health and cheerfulness, with a tranquil mind, and, without these, all the gold of Peru would lie in our coffers useless.
Story DNA
Moral
Labour and industry, well applied, seldom fail of finding a rich treasure; if not wealth, then health, cheerfulness, and a tranquil mind.
Plot Summary
A dying husbandman tells his sons that his only treasure is buried in their farm and vineyard, urging them to keep the land. Misinterpreting his words as literal hidden money, the sons diligently dig up every inch of the property after his death. Though they find no gold, the well-tilled soil produces an exceptionally abundant harvest, revealing the true 'treasure' of hard work and agriculture, fulfilling their father's wise intent.
Themes
Emotional Arc
expectation to realization
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Reflects the historical importance of agriculture and land ownership as a source of wealth and livelihood.
Plot Beats (8)
- A dying husbandman, wishing his sons to continue farming, calls them to his bedside.
- He tells them his only patrimony is the farm and vineyard, which they must not sell.
- He adds that if he has any other treasure, it is buried within a foot of the surface of the land.
- The sons mistakenly believe their father is referring to hidden money.
- After their father's death, the sons meticulously dig up every inch of the farm and vineyard.
- They do not find the expected monetary treasure.
- However, the ground, being so well tilled, produces an exceptionally plentiful crop.
- The abundant harvest proves to be a real and considerable treasure, demonstrating the value of their labor.
Characters
The Husbandman
A man of advanced age, thin and frail from his illness, with hands calloused and weathered from a lifetime of manual labor in the fields. His frame is stooped, and he appears weak, confined to his deathbed.
Attire: Simple, worn linen nightshirt, likely undyed or faded white, with a loose, comfortable fit suitable for a man on his deathbed. No elaborate adornments, reflecting his humble profession.
Wants: To ensure his sons continue the family tradition of agriculture and find prosperity through hard work, rather than idleness or seeking easy wealth.
Flaw: His physical frailty and impending death prevent him from directly guiding his sons further.
He serves as a catalyst for his sons' transformation, his death marking the beginning of their journey to understanding his lesson.
Wise, pragmatic, loving, industrious, clever.
The Eldest Son
A young man of sturdy build, accustomed to some physical activity but not yet hardened by consistent farm labor. He would be of average height, with a healthy complexion.
Attire: Simple, practical peasant attire: a loose-fitting tunic of coarse linen or wool, likely in earthy tones like brown or grey, with rolled-up sleeves. Sturdy breeches and simple leather boots or clogs.
Wants: Initially, to find the hidden treasure (money) his father mentioned. Later, to cultivate the land and achieve prosperity through hard work.
Flaw: His initial focus on finding easy wealth rather than understanding the value of labor.
Transforms from a son seeking hidden monetary treasure to one who understands that hard work and industry are the true treasures. He learns the value of agriculture and diligence.
Initially somewhat naive and focused on material wealth, diligent, hardworking, eventually wise.
The Younger Sons
Similar to the eldest, sturdy and capable of physical work, reflecting their upbringing on a farm. They would be of similar height and build to their brother.
Attire: Identical or very similar simple, practical peasant attire: loose-fitting tunics of coarse linen or wool in earthy tones, sturdy breeches, and simple leather boots or clogs.
Wants: Initially, to find the hidden treasure (money) their father mentioned. Later, to cultivate the land and achieve prosperity through hard work.
Flaw: Their initial focus on finding easy wealth rather than understanding the value of labor.
Transform from sons seeking hidden monetary treasure to ones who understand that hard work and industry are the true treasures. They learn the value of agriculture and diligence alongside their eldest brother.
Initially somewhat naive and focused on material wealth, diligent, hardworking, eventually wise.
Locations
Husbandman's Bedside
The intimate setting where the dying husbandman imparts his final, cryptic advice to his sons.
Mood: Solemn, intimate, expectant, with a hint of mystery.
The father's deathbed confession about a 'treasure' buried in the ground.
The Farm and Vineyard
An expansive agricultural landscape, meticulously dug up by the sons in search of hidden treasure, revealing fertile soil.
Mood: Hopeful, industrious, eventually rewarding, initially arduous.
The sons diligently dig up every inch of the land, leading to an unexpected bountiful harvest.