FABLE XLII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once upon a time, there was a family. A dad, a boy, and a girl. The boy's name was Tom. Tom was very pretty. The girl's name was Lily. Lily was nice. She was not as pretty as Tom. They were both small children in the house. They lived in a nice house. Their home was cozy. They played many games.
One day, they played together. They played near a big mirror. The mirror stood on a table. It was their mother's mirror. They liked to look at things. The mirror was shiny. It showed their faces. They often played there.
Tom looked in the mirror. He saw his own face. He liked his pretty face. He smiled at Lily. "Look at me!" Tom said. "I am so pretty! My face is nice." He felt very proud. Lily heard his words. She felt a little sad. She did not like his boast.
Lily felt sad. Tom made her feel sad. She did not like his words. She thought Tom was boastful. Lily ran to her Dad. She told him about Tom. "Dad, Tom is mean!" she said. "He says he is pretty! He looked in the mirror. He made me feel sad!" Her eyes were wet. She felt unhappy. Dad listened carefully. He always listened.
Dad heard Lily's words. He hugged both children. He held them close. Dad was very kind. He loved them both. His arms were strong. They felt safe.
Dad spoke to Tom. "You are pretty, Tom," he said. "But be good inside. Be kind to Lily. Do not be mean to her. A good heart is best. It is better than a pretty face. Always be kind. Show good actions. Your good heart makes you truly pretty. Think about your words. Be a good brother."
Dad spoke to Lily. "You are kind, Lily," he said. "Be smart and kind. Be good inside. This is very good. It is better than a pretty face. A good heart is best. It makes you shine. Be a good person. Your kindness is a true beauty. Your smart mind is also very good. Your thoughts are special. Your spirit is bright. This is what truly matters."
Original Story
FABLE XLII.
THE BROTHER AND SISTER.
A certain Man had two children, a Son and a Daughter—the Boy handsome enough, the Girl not quite so comely. They were both very young, and happened one day to be playing near the looking-glass, which stood on their mother's toilet. The Boy, pleased with the novelty of the thing, viewed himself for some time, and in a wanton, roguish manner observed to the Girl how handsome he was. She resented the insult, and ran immediately to her father, and, with a great deal of aggravation, complained of her brother, particularly for having acted so effeminate a part as to look in a glass, and meddle with things which belong to women only. The father, embracing them both with much tenderness and affection, told them that he should like to have them both look in the glass every day; "To the intent that you," says he to the Boy, "if you think that face of yours handsome, may not disgrace and spoil it by an ugly temper and a bad behaviour; and that you," added he, addressing the Girl, "may make up for the defects of your person by the sweetness of your manners and the excellence of your understanding."
MORAL.
A well-informed mind is better than a handsome person.
Story DNA
Moral
A well-informed mind is better than a handsome person.
Plot Summary
A handsome young boy and his less comely sister are playing with a looking-glass. The boy, admiring himself, teases his sister about his good looks. Offended, the sister complains to their father about her brother's vanity. The wise father embraces both children and advises them: the boy should ensure his character matches his beauty, and the girl should cultivate inner qualities to compensate for any perceived physical flaws, emphasizing that a good mind is better than a handsome face.
Themes
Emotional Arc
vanity to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect societal values and gender expectations of their time, even when presenting universal morals.
Plot Beats (7)
- A man has a handsome son and a less comely daughter.
- The young children are playing near their mother's looking-glass.
- The boy admires his reflection and teases his sister about his good looks.
- The sister is offended and complains to their father, accusing her brother of vanity and effeminate behavior.
- The father embraces both children tenderly.
- He advises the boy to ensure his character and behavior do not spoil his handsome face.
- He advises the girl to cultivate sweetness of manners and excellence of understanding to make up for any physical defects.
Characters
The Son
A young boy, described as 'handsome enough', likely of average height and build for his age. His features are pleasing and symmetrical, giving him a naturally attractive appearance.
Attire: Simple, comfortable clothing suitable for a child of a middle-class family in a European setting, perhaps a linen tunic and breeches, in muted, practical colors.
Wants: To enjoy himself and perhaps to assert his perceived superiority in appearance over his sister.
Flaw: Vanity and a lack of empathy, leading him to tease his sister without considering her feelings.
He is given a lesson by his father about the importance of character over physical appearance, suggesting a potential for growth beyond his vanity.
Vain, playful, somewhat teasing, and a bit thoughtless. He is pleased with his own appearance and not afraid to point it out.
The Daughter
A young girl, described as 'not quite so comely' as her brother, implying she is of average or slightly plain appearance, but not unattractive. She is likely of similar height and build to her brother, as they are both 'very young'.
Attire: Simple, practical clothing suitable for a child of a middle-class family in a European setting, perhaps a plain linen dress or smock, in muted, practical colors.
Wants: To defend her honor and perhaps to seek justice or validation from her father after being insulted by her brother.
Flaw: Sensitivity to criticism and a tendency to react with indignation rather than internalizing the insult.
She is encouraged by her father to focus on developing her inner qualities to compensate for any perceived physical 'defects', suggesting a path towards self-improvement.
Sensitive, easily offended, and prone to complaining when insulted. She is observant of social norms (regarding men looking in mirrors).
The Father
An adult man, likely of a respectable build, reflecting his role as a family patriarch. His appearance would be consistent with a middle-class European man of the era.
Attire: Respectable, practical clothing for a family man of the period, perhaps a simple wool coat over a linen shirt, with breeches and sturdy shoes, in muted, earthy tones.
Wants: To guide his children towards good character and understanding, emphasizing inner qualities over superficial ones.
Flaw: None explicitly shown, he acts as a figure of wisdom and guidance.
He serves as the moral compass of the story, providing the resolution and the central lesson without undergoing a personal arc himself.
Wise, tender, affectionate, and a good moral instructor. He is fair and seeks to teach his children valuable lessons.
Locations
Mother's Toilette Room
A private, well-appointed room in a European-style home, likely from the 18th or 19th century, featuring a prominent dressing table (toilette) with a looking-glass. The room would be furnished with items typical of a lady's private space, suggesting comfort and a degree of affluence.
Mood: intimate, domestic, initially playful, then tense
The brother and sister play near the looking-glass, leading to the boy's vanity and the sister's complaint.
Father's Study/Drawing Room
A comfortable and dignified room in a European home, suitable for private conversations and familial counsel. It would be furnished to reflect the father's status and role as head of the household, perhaps with a fireplace, sturdy furniture, and books.
Mood: calm, authoritative, loving, reflective
The sister complains to her father, who then offers a moral lesson to both children.