LIBRO OCTAVO
by Félix María Samaniego · from Fábulas
Adapted Version
Hello, little friends! Listen to these short stories. Fun creatures and folk teach good lessons.
Simon was a smart poet. He had a lot of money. He went on a boat. The boat broke. It sank in the sea. Simon lost all his things. He was very sad. Simon came to a new town. A kind man lived there. His name was Clem. Clem knew Simon's smart poems. Clem saw Simon. He knew Simon was wise. Clem gave Simon new clothes. He gave him food and money. Simon was happy. He still had his smart ideas. This story teaches us a lesson. Being smart is good. It is better than toys. It is better than money.
The Thinker thought he was special. He was a big man. He looked at the world. He said, "All things are for me. I am strong." A tiny Flea heard him. The Flea sat on his nose. It bit the Thinker. The Thinker felt the bite. The Flea said, "I matter too!" The Thinker felt less proud now. This story teaches us a lesson. Do not be too proud. Small things can bother big people too.
A mother Pheasant had small chicks. She talked to her chicks. "Watch out," she said. "Some people are not kind. They are not nice to creatures. They hurt them." A man walked in the woods. He heard the mother Pheasant. He thought about her words. "She is right," he said. "We should be kind. We must be kind to creatures now." He felt sad. He wanted to be kind. This story teaches us a lesson. Always be kind to creatures.
A shoe man made shoes. He said, "I am a doctor too." People believed him. They went to him. They felt a little sick at times. The King heard about this. The King was very smart. He knew the shoe man well. The King said, "He is not a real doctor. He only makes shoes." All knew the truth then. The shoe man stopped acting. He just made shoes again. This story teaches us a lesson. Always tell the truth. Do not act to be someone else.
The Butterfly flew around. She was very proud. She saw a Snail. "I am pretty," she said. "You are slow and brown." The Snail looked at her. "You were small once," he said. "You were a crawler then. You crawled like me. Do you forget that?" The Butterfly felt small. She was not so proud now. This story teaches us a lesson. Remember where you came from. Be kind to all.
Many people watched two puppet men. One puppet man showed tricks. He made shiny coins appear. People liked his magic. Another puppet man came. He showed puppets doing silly things. One puppet was greedy. Another did not share. The puppet man said, "These are not good choices." He showed puppets being kind. He showed puppets sharing. People learned from him. This story teaches us a lesson. Make good choices. Be kind, not silly or greedy.
And that is the end of our stories. Remember the good lessons they teach us every day!
Original Story
LIBRO OCTAVO
FÁBULA PRIMERA
El Naufragio de Simónides.
Á ELISA
En tanto que tus vanas compañeras,
Cercadas de galanes seductores,
Escuchan placenteras
En la escuela de Venus los amores;
Elisa, retirada te contemplo
De la diosa Minerva al sacro templo[385].
Ni eres menos donosa,
Ni menos agraciada,
Que Clori, ponderada
De gentil y de hermosa;
Pues, Elisa divina, ¿por qué quieres
Huir en tu retiro los placeres?
¡Oh sabia, qué bien haces
En estimar en poco la hermosura,
Los placeres fugaces,
El bien que sólo dura
Como rosa que el ábrego marchita!
Tu prudencia infinita
Busca el sólido bien y permanente
En la virtud y ciencia solamente.
Cuando el tiempo implacable, con presteza,
Ó los males tal vez inopinados,
Se lleven la hermosura y gentileza,
Con lágrimas estériles llorados
Serán aquellos días que se fueron,
Y á juegos vanos tus amigas dieron;
Pero á tu bien[386] estable
No hay tiempo ni accidente que consuma:
Siempre serás feliz, siempre estimable.
Eres sabia, y en suma
Este bien de la ciencia no perece:
Oye cómo esta fábula lo explica,
Que mi respeto á tu virtud dedica.
Simónides en Asia se enriquece
Cantando á justo precio los loores
De algunos generosos vencedores.
Este sabio poeta, con deseo
De volver á su amada patria, Ceo,
Se embarca, y en la mar embravecida
Fué la mísera nave sumergida.
De la gente á las ondas arrojada
Sale quien diestro nada;
Y el que nadar no sabe,
Fluctúa en las reliquias[387] de la nave.
Pocos llegan á tierra afortunados
Con las náufragas tablas abrazados.
Todos cuantos el oro recogieron,
Con el peso abrumados perecieron.
Á Clezémone van: allí vivía
Un varón literato, que leía
Las obras de Simónides, de suerte
Que, al conversar los náufragos, advierte
Que Simónides habla, y en su estilo
Le conoce, le presta todo asilo[388],
De vestidos, criados y dineros;
Pero á sus compañeros
Les quedó solamente por sufragio
Mendigar con la tabla del naufragio.
FÁBULA II
El Filósofo y la Pulga.
Meditando á sus solas cierto día,
Un pensador Filósofo, decía:
«—El jardín adornado de mil flores,
Y diferentes árboles mayores,
Con su fruta sabrosa enriquecidos,
Tal vez entretejidos
Con la frondosa vid que se derrama
Por una y otra rama,
Mostrando á todos lados
Las peras y racimos desgajados,
Es cosa destinada solamente
Para que la disfruten libremente
La oruga, el caracol, la mariposa:
No se persuaden ellos otra cosa.
Los pájaros sin cuento,
Burlándose del viento,
Por los aires sin dueño van girando.
El milano cazando
Saca la consecuencia:
Para mí los crió la Providencia.
El cangrejo, en la playa envanecido,
Mira los anchos mares, persuadido[389]
Á que las olas tienen por empleo
Sólo satisfacerle su deseo;
Pues cree que van y vienen tantas veces
Por dejarle en la orilla ciertos peces.
No hay, prosigue el Filósofo profundo,
Animal sin orgullo en este mundo:
El hombre solamente
Puede en esto alabarse justamente.
Cuando yo me contemplo colocado
En la cima de un risco agigantado,
Imagino que sirve á mi persona
Todo el cóncavo cielo de corona.
Veo á mis pies los mares espaciosos,
Y los bosques umbrosos
Poblados de animales diferentes:
Las escamosas gentes[390],
Los brutos, y las fieras
Y las aves ligeras,
Y cuanto tiene aliento
En la tierra, en el agua y en el viento;
Y digo finalmente: todo es mío;
¡Oh grandeza del hombre y poderío!»
Una Pulga que oyó con gran cachaza
Al Filósofo maza[391]
Dijo:—Cuando me miro en tus narices,
Como tú sobre el risco que nos dices,
Y contemplo á mis pies aquel instante[392]
Nada menos que al hombre dominante,
Que manda en cuanto encierra
El agua, viento y tierra,
Y que el tal poderoso caballero
De alimento me sirve cuando quiero,
Concluyo finalmente: todo es mío;
¡Oh grandeza de Pulga y poderío!
Así dijo, y saltando, se le ausenta[393].
De este modo se afrenta
Aun al más poderoso,
Cuando se muestra vano y orgulloso.
FÁBULA III
El Cazador y los Conejos.
Poco antes que esparciese
Sus cabellos en hebras
El rubicundo Apolo[394]
Por la faz de la tierra,
De cazador armado
Al soto Fabio llega.
Por el nudoso tronco
De cierta encina vieja
Sube, para ocultarse
En las ramas espesas.
Los incautos Conejos
Alegres se le acercan:
Uno del verde prado
Igualaba la hierba;
Otro, cual jardinero,
Las florecillas riega:
El tomillo y romero
Éste y aquél cercenan.
Entre tanto, al más gordo
Fabio su tiro asesta:
Dispara, y al estruendo
Se meten en sus cuevas[395]
Tan repentinamente,
Que á muchos pareciera
Que, salvo el muerto, á todos
Se los tragó la tierra.
¿Después de tal espanto
Habrá alguno que crea
Que de allí á poco rato
La tímida caterva,
Olvidando el peligro,
Al riesgo se presenta?
Cosa extraña parece,
Mas no se admiren de ella:
¿Acaso los humanos
Obran de otra manera?
FÁBULA IV
El Filósofo y el Faisán.
Llevado de la dulce melodía
Del cántico variado y delicioso,
Que en un bosque frondoso
Las aves forman saludando al día,
Entró cierta mañana
Un Sabio en los dominios de Diana.
Sus pasos esparcieron el espanto
En la agradable estancia:
Interrúmpese el canto;
Las aves vuelan á mayor distancia;
Todos los animales, asustados,
Huyen delante de él precipitados;
Y el Filósofo queda
Con un triste silencio en la arboleda.
Marcha con cauto paso ocultamente,
Descubre sobre un árbol eminente
Á un Faisán rodeado de su cría,
Que con amor materno la[396] decía:
—Hijos míos, pues ya que en mis lecciones
Largamente os hablé de los milanos,
De los buitres y halcones,
Hoy hemos de tratar de los humanos.
La oveja en leche y lana
Da abrigo y alimento
Para la raza humana;
Y en agradecimiento
Á tan gran bienhechora,
La mata el hombre mismo y la devora.
A la abeja, que labra sus panales
Artificiosamente,
La[397] roba, come, vende sus caudales,
Y la[398] mata en ejércitos su gente.
¿Qué recompensa en suma
Consigue al fin el ganso miserable
Por el precioso bien incomparable
De ayudar á las ciencias con su pluma[399]?
Le da muerte temprana el hombre ingrato
Y hace de su cadáver un gran plato.
Y pues que los humanos son peores
Que milanos y azores,
Y que toda perversa criatura,
Huiréis con horror de su figura.—
Así charló[400], y el hombre se presenta.
—Ése es, grita la madre; y al instante
La familia volante
Se desprende del árbol y se ausenta.
¡Oh cómo habló el Faisán! ¡Mas, que dijera,
El filósofo exclama, si supiera
Que en sus propios hermanos
La ingratitud ejercen los humanos!
FÁBULA V
El Zapatero médico.
Un inhábil y hambriento Zapatero
En la corte por médico corría;
Con un contraveneno que fingía,
Ganó fama y dinero.
Estaba el rey postrado en una cama
De una grave dolencia:
Para hacer experiencia
Del talento del médico, le llama.
El antídoto pide, y en un vaso
Finge el rey que le mezcla con veneno;
Se lo manda beber: el tal Galeno[401]
Teme morir: confiesa todo el caso,
Y dice que, sin ciencia,
Logró hacerse doctor de grande precio
Por la credulidad del vulgo necio.
Convoca el rey al pueblo:—¡Qué demencia
Es la vuestra, exclamó, que habéis fiado
La salud francamente
De un hombre á quien la gente
Ni aun quería fiarle su calzado!—
Esto para los crédulos se cuenta
En quienes tiene el charlatán su renta.[402]
FÁBULA VI
El Murciélago y la Comadreja.
Cayó sin saber cómo
Un Murciélago á tierra,
Al instante le atrapa
La lista Comadreja.
Clamaba el desdichado
Viendo su muerte cerca,
Ella le dice:—Muere,
Que por naturaleza
Soy mortal enemiga
De todo cuanto vuela.—
El avechucho[403] grita,
Y mil veces protesta
Que él es ratón, cual todos
Los de su descendencia.
Con esto (¡qué fortuna!)
El preso se liberta.
Pasado cierto tiempo,
No sé de qué manera,
Segunda vez le pilla:
Él nuevamente ruega;
Mas ella le responde
Que Júpiter la ordena
Tenga paz con las aves,
Con los ratones guerra.
—¿Soy yo ratón acaso?
Yo creo que estás ciega.
¿Quieres ver cómo vuelo?—
En efecto, le deja,
Y á merced de su ingenio,
Libre el pájaro[404] vuela.
Aquí aprendió de Esopo.
La gente marinera,
Murciélagos que fingen
Pasaporte y bandera.
No importa que haya pocos
Ingleses comadrejas:
Tal vez puede de un riesgo
Sacarnos una treta.
FÁBULA VII
La Mariposa y el Caracol.
Aunque te haya elevado la fortuna
Desde el polvo á los cuernos de luna,
Si hablas, Fabio, al humilde con desprecio,
Tanto como eres grande, serás necio,
¡Qué! ¿te irritas? ¿te ofende mi lenguaje?
—No se habla de ese modo á un personaje.
—Pues haz cuenta, señor, que no me oiste,
Y escucha á un Caracol: vaya de chiste.
En un bello jardín cierta mañana,
Se puso muy ufana
Sobre la blanca rosa
Una recién nacida Mariposa.
El sol resplandeciente
Desde su claro oriente
Los rayos esparcía:
Ella á su luz las alas extendía,
Sólo por que envidiasen sus colores
Manchadas aves y pintadas flores[405].
Esta vana, preciada de belleza,
Al volver la cabeza
Vió muy cerca de sí sobre una rama
Á un pardo Caracol. La bella dama
Irritada exclamó:—¿Cómo, grosero,
Á mi lado te acercas? Jardinero,
¿De qué sirve que tengas con cuidado
El jardín cultivado,
Y guarde tu desvelo
La rica fruta del rigor del hielo,
Y los tiernos botones de las plantas,
Si ensucia y come todo cuanto plantas,
Este vil Caracol de baja esfera?
Ó mátale al instante, ó vaya fuera.
—Quien ahora te oyese,
Si no te conociese,
Respondió el Caracol, en mi conciencia
Que pudiera temblar en tu presencia.
Mas díme, miserable criatura,
Que acabas de salir de la basura,
¿Puedes negar que aun no hace cuatro días
Que gustosa solías,
Como humilde reptil andar conmigo,
Y yo te hacía honor en ser tu amigo?
¿No es también evidente,
Que eres por línea recta descendiente
De las Orugas[406], pobres hilanderos[407],
Que mirándose en cueros,
De sus tripas hilaban y tejían
Un fardo en que el invierno se metían,
Como tú te has metido,
Y aun no hace cuatro días que has salido.
Pues si éste fué tu origen y tu casa,
Por qué tu ventolera se propasa
Á despreciar á un Caracol honrado?—
¿El que tiene de vidrio su tejado[408]
Esto logra de bueno
Con tirar las pedradas al ajeno.
FÁBULA VIII
Los dos Titiriteros[409].
Todo el pueblo admirado
Estaba en una plaza amontonado,
Y en medio se empinaba un Titerero
Enseñando una bolsa sin dinero;
—Pase de mano en mano, les decía:
Señores, no hay engaño, está vacía.—
Se la vuelven, la sopla, y al momento
Derrama pesos duros, ¡qué portento!
Levántase un murmullo de repente,
Cuando ven por encima de la gente
Otro Titiritero á competencia.
Queda en expectación la concurrencia
Con silencio profundo;
Cesó el primero, y empezó el segundo.
Presenta de licor unas botellas:
Algunos se arrojaron hacia ellas,
Y al punto las hallaron transformadas
En sangrientas espadas.
Muestra un par de bolsillos de doblones:
Dos personas, sin duda dos ladrones,
Les echaron la garra muy ufanos,
Y se ven dos cordeles en sus manos.
Á un relator cargado de procesos
Una letra le enseña de mil pesos.
Sople usted: sopla el hombre apresurado,
Y le cierra los labios un candado.
Á un abate[410] arrimado á su cortejo
Le presenta un espejo,
Y al mirar su retrato peregrino,
Se vió con las orejas de pollino.
Á un santero[411] le manda
Que se acerque: le pilla la demanda[412],
Y allá, con sus hechizos,
La convirtió en merienda de chorizos.
Á un joven desenvuelto y rozagante
Le regala un diamante:
Éste le dió á su dama, y en el punto
Pálido se quedó como un difunto,
Item más, sin narices y sin dientes;
Allí fué la rechifla de las gentes,
La burla y la chacota.
El primer Titerero se alborota.
Dice por el segundo con denuedo:
—Ese hombre tiene un diablo en cada dedo,
Pues no encierran virtud tan peregrina
Los polvos de la madre Celestina[413];
Que declare su nombre.—
El concurso lo pide, y el buen hombre
Entonces, más modesto que un novicio,
Dijo: No soy el diablo, sino el vicio.
FÁBULA IX
El Raposo y el Perro.
De un modo muy afable y amistoso,
El Mastín de un pastor con un Raposo
Se solía juntar algunos ratos,
Como tal vez los perros y los gatos[414]
Con amistad se tratan. Cierto día
El Zorro á su compadre[415] le decía:
Estoy muy irritado:
Los hombres por el mundo han divulgado
Que mi raza inocente (¡qué injusticia!)
Les anda circumcirca[416] en la malicia.
¡Ah maldita canalla!
Si yo pudiera...—En esto el Zorro calla,
Y erizado se agacha.—Soy perdido,
Dice, los cazadores he oído.
¿Qué me sucede?—Nada:
No temas, le responde el camarada;
Son las gentes[417] que pasan al mercado.
Mira, mira, cuitado,
Marchar haldas en cinta á mis vecinas
Coronadas con cestas de gallinas.
—No estoy, dijo el Raposo, para fiestas;
Vete con tus gallinas y tus cestas,
Y satiriza á otro. Porque sabes
Que robaron anoche algunas aves,
¿He de ser yo el ladrón?—En mi conciencia
Que hablé, dijo el Mastín, con inocencia.
¿Yo pensar que has robado el gallinero,
Cuando siempre te vi como un cordero?
—¡Cordero! exclama el Zorro; no hay aguante
Que cordero me vuelva en el instante,
Si he hurtado el que falta en tu majada.
—Hola, concluye el Perro, camarada,
El ladrón es Ud.[418] según se explica.—
El estuche[419] molar al punto aplica
Al mísero Raposo,
Para que así escarmiente el cosquilloso[420],
Que de las fabulillas se resiente.
«Si no estás inocente,
Dime, ¿por qué no bajas las orejas?
Y si acaso lo estás, ¿de qué te quejas?»
Story DNA
Moral
The collection of fables teaches various lessons, including the enduring value of knowledge over material possessions, the folly of pride, the danger of credulity, the ingratitude of humanity, and the cunning required for survival.
Plot Summary
This collection, 'LIBRO OCTAVO,' presents nine fables by Félix María Samaniego, each offering a distinct moral lesson. Stories range from the wise poet Simónides, who retains his value despite losing wealth in a shipwreck, to a proud philosopher humbled by a flea, and a fraudulent shoemaker-turned-doctor exposed by a king. Other fables depict animals demonstrating human-like vices and virtues, such as rabbits forgetting danger, a pheasant warning its young about human cruelty, a cunning bat escaping a weasel, and a vain butterfly being reminded of its humble origins. The book culminates with a puppeteer who reveals himself to be 'Vice,' illustrating various human follies, and a fox whose defensiveness betrays his guilt.
Themes
Emotional Arc
ignorance to understanding
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Félix María Samaniego was an 18th-century Spanish fabulist, known for his Enlightenment-era didactic fables. His works often satirized societal flaws and promoted reason and virtue, drawing heavily from classical sources like Aesop and La Fontaine.
Plot Beats (9)
- Fable 1: Simónides, a wealthy poet, is shipwrecked and loses everything, but is recognized and aided by a scholar due to his wisdom, while his companions are left to beg.
- Fable 2: A philosopher boasts about humanity's dominion over nature, only to be put in his place by a flea who claims similar dominion over the philosopher himself.
- Fable 3: A hunter shoots a rabbit, causing the others to flee, but they soon forget the danger and return, illustrating human forgetfulness of past perils.
- Fable 4: A pheasant warns its chicks about the ingratitude and cruelty of humans towards animals that benefit them, a lesson overheard by a philosopher who acknowledges the truth.
- Fable 5: A shoemaker pretends to be a doctor and gains fame and wealth, but is exposed by the king who highlights the folly of trusting an unqualified person with one's health.
- Fable 6: A bat, caught by a weasel, saves itself twice by claiming to be a mouse or a bird depending on the weasel's prejudice, demonstrating adaptability and cunning.
- Fable 7: A proud butterfly, having recently emerged from a caterpillar, scorns a snail, but the snail reminds her of her humble origins, teaching humility.
- Fable 8: Two puppeteers perform; the first shows a magic trick with money, while the second exposes human vices and follies through illusions, revealing himself to be 'Vice'.
- Fable 9: A fox complains to a dog about humans calling his kind malicious, then becomes defensive when the dog innocently mentions stolen chickens, implying guilt.
Characters
Elisa
A young woman of graceful and pleasing appearance, though her specific height and build are not detailed. Her beauty is compared favorably to Clori, suggesting a conventional attractiveness.
Attire: Not explicitly described, but as a young woman devoted to Minerva (wisdom), her attire would likely be modest and refined, perhaps a simple but well-made dress of natural fibers like linen or cotton, in muted colors, suitable for study rather than social display.
Wants: To seek solid and permanent good through virtue and science, rather than superficial pleasures or transient beauty.
Flaw: Her extreme withdrawal from social pleasures might be seen as a weakness, though the fable praises it.
She serves as an exemplary figure, representing the ideal of wisdom and virtue that the fables aim to teach. She does not undergo a personal arc within the narrative.
Wise, prudent, studious, modest, discerning. She values virtue and knowledge over fleeting beauty and pleasure.
Simónides
A wise poet, his physical appearance is not detailed, but his survival of a shipwreck suggests a certain resilience. As a Greek poet, he would likely have a build consistent with a man of letters, not necessarily robust.
Attire: Before the shipwreck, he would have worn the typical attire of a wealthy Greek poet, perhaps a chiton and himation of fine wool or linen, possibly adorned with simple embroidery. After the shipwreck, he is destitute until Clezémone provides him with new clothes.
Wants: To return to his beloved homeland, Ceos, after enriching himself in Asia through his poetry.
Flaw: Initially, his wealth is a vulnerability, as those who clung to gold perished in the shipwreck. His physical vulnerability during the shipwreck is also evident.
He experiences a dramatic loss of all material possessions during a shipwreck but is saved and restored due to his intellectual wealth (his poetry and wisdom), demonstrating that true value lies in knowledge, not material goods.
Wise, talented (as a poet), resourceful (survives the shipwreck), humble (accepts help), and ultimately, his wisdom proves to be his most valuable asset.
Clezémone
A learned man, his physical description is not provided, but his role as a scholar suggests a refined, perhaps studious, appearance.
Attire: As a literate man in ancient Greece, he would wear a chiton and himation of good quality, perhaps in muted colors, reflecting his scholarly pursuits.
Wants: To assist Simónides out of respect for his literary works and wisdom.
Flaw: None apparent in the story.
He serves as a static character, representing the value of intellectual appreciation and generosity.
Learned, discerning, generous, hospitable, appreciative of art and wisdom.
El Filósofo (The Philosopher)
A thoughtful philosopher, his physical appearance is not detailed, but his self-perception of grandeur suggests a confident, perhaps imposing, presence. He is the host body for the flea, implying a human form.
Attire: As a philosopher, he might wear academic or scholarly attire of the 18th century, such as a dark, simple coat, waistcoat, and breeches, perhaps with a plain cravat, indicating his intellectual pursuits over ostentation.
Wants: To assert humanity's (and specifically his own) dominance and importance in the world.
Flaw: His immense pride and vanity, which make him susceptible to being humbled by a tiny flea.
He begins with an inflated sense of self-importance, believing all of creation serves him. He is then comically humbled by a flea, demonstrating that even the most powerful can be brought low by vanity.
Arrogant, proud, self-important, philosophical (in a self-serving way), prone to grandiosity.
La Pulga (The Flea)
A tiny, dark-colored insect, barely visible to the human eye, with a hard exoskeleton and powerful jumping legs. It is small enough to reside on a human's nose.
Attire: Not applicable.
Wants: To survive and feed, and to assert its own importance in the face of the Philosopher's arrogance.
Flaw: Its small size makes it vulnerable to being crushed, though it uses this to its advantage in its argument.
Serves as the instrument of the Philosopher's humbling, remaining a static character in its nature but dynamic in its impact.
Sarcastic, observant, cunning, proud (in its own way), and capable of delivering a sharp retort.
Fabio
A hunter, implying a fit and agile build. His specific features are not detailed.
Attire: Dressed as a hunter, likely in practical, sturdy clothing suitable for the outdoors in 18th-century Spain. This would include a dark or earth-toned coat, breeches, and sturdy boots, possibly a tricorn hat, and a hunting bag.
Wants: To hunt rabbits for food or sport.
Flaw: None apparent in the story; he is successful in his hunt.
He is a static character, serving to illustrate the human tendency to forget danger, as mirrored by the rabbits.
Cunning, patient (waiting in the tree), decisive (takes his shot), and focused on his goal.
El Faisán (The Pheasant)
A mother pheasant, described as being surrounded by her chicks. Pheasants are known for their vibrant plumage, though the mother's colors might be more subdued than the male's. She would have a plump body, a small head, and a long tail.
Attire: Not applicable, as she is an animal.
Wants: To teach her chicks about the dangers of humans and other predators, ensuring their survival.
Flaw: Her inherent fear and vulnerability to human hunters.
She is a static character, serving as a wise teacher who imparts crucial survival lessons to her offspring.
Loving, protective (of her chicks), wise (in her warnings), and fearful of humans.
La Mariposa (The Butterfly)
A newly born butterfly, described as beautiful and vain. She would have delicate, brightly colored wings, likely with intricate patterns, and a slender body.
Attire: Not applicable, her wings are her attire.
Wants: To display her beauty and be admired, and to distance herself from her past as a caterpillar.
Flaw: Her extreme vanity and pride, which lead her to insult the Snail and be rebuked.
She begins in a state of extreme vanity and pride, believing herself superior due to her new form. She is then humbled by the Snail, who reminds her of her humble origins, teaching her a lesson about humility.
Vain, proud, arrogant, disdainful of those she perceives as lower status, forgetful of her humble origins.
El Caracol (The Snail)
A 'pardo' (brown/grey) snail, with a spiral shell and a slimy foot. He is slow-moving and humble in appearance.
Attire: Not applicable, his shell is his home and defining feature.
Wants: To live his life peacefully and to remind the arrogant Butterfly of her true origins and the importance of humility.
Flaw: His slow movement and vulnerability to being crushed or removed by the Gardener.
He serves as the wise truth-teller, remaining a static character in his nature but dynamic in his impact on the Butterfly.
Humble, wise, observant, patient, and capable of a sharp, truthful retort.
Locations
The Open Sea
A vast, turbulent expanse of ocean, with waves rising and falling violently. The sky is likely overcast or stormy, contributing to the perilous conditions.
Mood: Perilous, chaotic, desperate, unforgiving
Simónides' ship is submerged, leading to a shipwreck where many perish, especially those burdened by gold.
Clezémone
A coastal town or settlement where a learned man resides. It is a place of refuge for the shipwrecked, offering basic necessities.
Mood: Relief, sanctuary, intellectual
Simónides and other survivors reach Clezémone. Simónides is recognized and aided by a scholar, while others are left to beg.
Philosopher's Garden
A lush, cultivated garden filled with a variety of flowers and large fruit-bearing trees, intertwined with sprawling grapevines. It is a place of natural abundance.
Mood: Abundant, reflective, peaceful
A philosopher contemplates the purpose of nature and the arrogance of creatures, believing the garden exists for his enjoyment.
Forest Clearing / Soto
A wooded area, a 'soto' or grove, with dense foliage and an ancient, gnarled oak tree. It features green meadows and smaller plants like thyme and rosemary.
Mood: Initially peaceful, then sudden terror
Fabio the hunter hides in the oak tree to ambush rabbits, who are happily grazing. He shoots one, and the others flee into their burrows.
Public Plaza / Town Square
A bustling town square, crowded with people. In the center, a showman performs, using a simple stage or elevated platform.
Mood: Curious, amazed, then chaotic and mocking
Two showmen perform, one with seemingly magical tricks of abundance, the other revealing the hidden vices and flaws of the audience.