FABLE LXXXIV
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once, there was a little brook. It flowed very gently. The Little Brook was small and quiet. It moved through green grass in the forest. Small plants grew near it. Little bugs lived by its side. It made a soft, happy sound. The Little Brook was calm all the time. It never hurried.
Near the brook was a big fountain. The Big Fountain was very tall. Its water jumped high into the air. It made a loud splash. It danced in the bright morning sun. It looked very bright and shiny. Many eyes looked at it. It sparkled a lot for all to see.
The Little Brook saw the Big Fountain. It thought the fountain was very special. It had much water. Its water was so high and pretty. But the brook kept flowing. It had its own path. It moved slowly and softly on its way. It did not stop its gentle journey.
A person cared for the fountain. This person kept it clean. That person went away one day. No one took care of it after that. Dust grew on its stone. The Big Fountain was alone. No one cleaned it. No one watched it no more. It started to look sad.
The Big Fountain broke. Its pipes were old. Its old pipes were not strong. Water did not jump up high no more. It just dripped down. It did not dance in the sun. The fountain was quiet now. It did not sparkle. It was just a broken stone.
But the Little Brook kept flowing. It had a deep source. It always had water. Water came from the ground deep below. Nature gave it water each day. The brook was calm and full. It helped the plants grow. It flowed on and on, never stopping.
The Little Brook was happy. It felt good inside. "I am good," it thought to itself. "I do not need to sparkle like that. The other one is gone now. I am just a brook. I have my own way. And that is good for me."
The Little Brook was always happy. It knew its own worth. It knew that being real was best. Being good was best for all. Nature's things are strong and true. They do not break easily. They last a long, long time. This is a good way to be.
Original Story
FABLE LXXXIV.
THE BROOK AND THE FOUNTAIN.
A Fountain varied gambols played,
Close by an humble Brook;
While gently murmuring through the glade,
Its peaceful course it took.
Perhaps it gave one envious gaze
Upon the Fountain's height,
While glittering in the morning rays
Pre-eminently bright.
In all the colours of the sky,
Alternately it shone:
The Brook observed it with a sigh,
But quietly rolled on.
The owner of the Fountain died;
Neglect soon brought decay;
The bursting pipes were ill-supplied;
The Fountain ceased to play.
But still the Brook its peaceful course
Continued to pursue;
Her ample, inexhausted source,
From Nature's fount she drew.
"Now," said the Brook, "I bless my fate,
My showy rival gone;
Contented in its native state
My little stream rolls on.
And all the world has cause, indeed,
To own, with grateful heart,
How much great Nature's works excel
The feeble works of art."
MORAL.
Humble usefulness is preferable to idle splendour.
Story DNA
Moral
Humble usefulness is preferable to idle splendour.
Plot Summary
A humble brook flows peacefully, observing a magnificent, glittering fountain with a touch of envy. The fountain, a work of art, shines brightly and plays varied gambols. However, when the fountain's owner dies, it falls into neglect, its pipes burst, and it ceases to function. The brook, drawing from nature's inexhaustible source, continues its steady, useful course, ultimately finding contentment and concluding that nature's works far surpass the fleeting creations of art.
Themes
Emotional Arc
envy to contentment
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables were popular in the 18th and 19th centuries for teaching moral lessons, often published in collections.
Plot Beats (8)
- A humble brook flows gently through a glade.
- A showy fountain plays varied gambols nearby, glittering brightly.
- The brook observes the fountain with a hint of envy, but quietly continues its course.
- The owner of the fountain dies, leading to its neglect.
- The fountain's pipes burst, and it ceases to function.
- The brook, drawing from nature's source, continues its peaceful and ample flow.
- The brook expresses contentment, blessing its fate now that its showy rival is gone.
- The brook concludes that nature's works far excel the feeble works of art.
Characters
The Fountain
A tall, ornate water feature, likely made of stone or marble, designed to shoot water high into the air. Its structure is complex, with various pipes and mechanisms allowing for 'varied gambols' or elaborate water displays. It is described as 'pre-eminently bright' and 'glittering in the morning rays', suggesting polished surfaces or perhaps integrated reflective materials. Its height is a notable feature.
Attire: N/A (object)
Wants: To display its splendor and capture attention, to 'play' and perform elaborate water shows.
Flaw: Its existence and functionality are entirely dependent on human maintenance and artificial systems. Without constant care, it quickly decays and ceases to function.
Begins as a vibrant, showy spectacle, then falls into disrepair and ceases to exist as a functional entity after its owner's death and subsequent neglect.
Showy, proud, attention-seeking, ephemeral, dependent on external maintenance.
The Brook
A small, natural stream of water, flowing gently and continuously. Its course is described as 'peaceful' and 'humble'. It is not grand or showy, but possesses an 'ample, inexhausted source' from nature itself. Its movement is a quiet, steady roll.
Attire: N/A (natural phenomenon)
Wants: To continue its natural, peaceful course, drawing from its inherent source. To exist simply and usefully.
Flaw: Initially feels a moment of 'envious gaze' towards the Fountain's splendor, suggesting a fleeting insecurity or desire for recognition.
Begins as a humble, perhaps slightly envious observer, but ultimately finds vindication and expresses profound contentment and wisdom in its own enduring, useful nature.
Humble, peaceful, content, observant, enduring, self-sufficient, wise.
Locations
The Glade with Brook and Fountain
A serene, open clearing in a natural setting where a humble brook gently murmurs and a man-made fountain once played. The morning sun illuminates the scene.
Mood: Initially peaceful and slightly envious, later quiet and enduring.
The initial setting where the contrasting natures of the brook and fountain are introduced, and the fountain's eventual decay is observed.