FÁBULA LXX
by Tomás de Iriarte · from Fábulas literarias
Adapted Version
Once there was a little bird. His name was Canary. He loved to sing. Canary sang very well. His song was pretty. Birds liked his song. A famous songbird heard him. The songbird liked Canary's song. He said Canary was good.
Other birds saw Canary. They were not happy. Crow was a big bird. He was very jealous. Crow did not like Canary. He did not like his song.
Crow could not sing well. He felt bad. Crow wanted to be famous. He had a bad idea. Crow said bad things. He said Canary looked funny. He did not talk about his song.
Crow told a big lie. He said, 'Canary sounds like donkey!' Some birds believed Crow. They joined him. They said bad things too. They were not kind.
Many folks heard the lie. The lie went all around. Folks came to see Canary. They thought he made funny noises. They wanted to see a donkey bird.
Canary heard the lies. He felt very sad. He did not want to sing. His pretty songs stopped. Canary was quiet now.
Eagle was queen of birds. She heard the stories. Eagle told Canary to sing. He must sing to show truth. If lies were true, he must leave.
Canary opened his mouth. He sang a pretty song. All loved it. His song was very good. He was a good singer. He did not sound like a donkey.
Eagle was angry at Crow. Crow told bad lies. Eagle asked Sky King for help. She wanted things to be fair. Sky King was strong.
Sky King agreed to help. He told Eagle yes. Sky King told Crow to sing. Crow must sing now. It was his turn.
Crow tried to sing. He opened his mouth. He made funny, loud noises. He sounded like a donkey! It was very silly.
All the folks laughed. Crow was very silly. He told bad lies. It is not good to be mean. The Crow learned a big lesson. Do not tell lies about others.
Original Story
FÁBULA LXX
El Canario y el Grajo
(El que para desacreditar a otro recurre a medios injustos, suele desacreditarse a sí propio.)
Hubo un Canario que, habiéndose esmerado en adelantar en su canto, logró divertir con él a varios aficionados y empezó a tener aplauso. Un Ruiseñor extranjero, generalmente acreditado, hizo particulares elogios de él, animándole con su aprobación.
Lo que el Canario ganó, así con este favorable voto, como con lo que procuró estudiar para hacerse digno de él, excitó la envidia de algunos pájaros. Entre éstos había unos que también cantaban, bien o mal, y justamente por ello le perseguían. Otros nada cantaban, y por lo mismo le cobraron odio. Al fin un Grajo, que no podía lucir por sí, quiso hacerse famoso con empezar a chillar públicamente entre las aves contra el Canario. No acertó a decir en qué cosa era defectuoso su canto; pero le pareció que para desacreditarle bastaba ridiculizarle el color de la pluma, la tierra en que había nacido, etc., acusándole, sin pruebas, de cosas que nada tenían que ver con lo bueno o malo de su canto. Hubo algunos pájaros de mala intención que aprobaron y siguieron lo que dijo el Grajo.
Empeñóse éste en demostrar a todos que el que habían tenido hasta entonces por un Canario diestro en el canto, no era sino un borrico, y que lo que en él había pasado por verdadera música era en la realidad un continuado rebuzno. "¡Cosa rara! decían algunos; el Canario rebuzna; el Canario es un borrico." Extendióse entre los animales la fama de tan nueva maravilla, y vinieron a ver cómo un Canario se había vuelto burro. El Canario, aburrido, no quería ya cantar; hasta que el Águila, reina de las aves, le mandó que cantase para ver si en efecto rebuznaba o no; porque, si acaso era verdad que rebuznaba, quería excluirle del número de sus vasallos los pájaros. Abrió el pico el Canario, y cantó a gusto de la mayor parte de los circunstantes. Entonces el Águila, indignada de la calumnia que había levantado el Grajo, suplicó a su señor, el dios Júpiter, que le castigase. Condescendió el dios, y dijo al Águila que mandase cantar al Grajo. Pero cuando éste quiso echar la voz, empezó, por soberana permisión, a rebuznar horrorosamente. Riéronse todos los animales y dijeron: Con razón se ha vuelto asno el que quiso hacer asno al Canario.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who resort to unjust means to discredit others often end up discrediting themselves.
Plot Summary
A talented Canary gains widespread acclaim for his beautiful singing, which incites the envy of a malicious Crow. The Crow attempts to discredit the Canary by spreading false rumors about his appearance and origin, claiming he 'brays like a donkey'. The rumors spread, causing the Canary to stop singing, until the Eagle, queen of the birds, orders him to perform. The Canary sings beautifully, proving his innocence, and the Eagle appeals to Jupiter, who punishes the Crow by making him bray hideously when he tries to sing, thus exposing his deceit and restoring justice.
Themes
Emotional Arc
injustice to vindication
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Tomás de Iriarte was an 18th-century Spanish Neoclassical poet known for his fables, which often satirized societal flaws and promoted Enlightenment values through animal characters.
Plot Beats (12)
- A Canary, skilled in singing, gains applause and praise from a famous Nightingale.
- The Canary's success and the Nightingale's approval provoke envy among other birds, especially a Crow.
- The Crow, unable to shine on his own, decides to discredit the Canary by ridiculing his appearance and origin, not his talent.
- The Crow spreads the false rumor that the Canary 'brays like a donkey', and some ill-intentioned birds support him.
- The rumor spreads widely, and animals come to see the 'braying Canary'.
- The disheartened Canary stops singing.
- The Eagle, queen of the birds, commands the Canary to sing to verify the rumors, threatening banishment if they are true.
- The Canary sings beautifully, delighting the audience and proving his talent.
- The Eagle, angered by the Crow's calumny, appeals to Jupiter for justice.
- Jupiter grants the request and commands the Crow to sing.
- When the Crow attempts to sing, he can only produce horrible braying sounds.
- All the animals laugh at the Crow, acknowledging his just punishment for trying to make a donkey out of the Canary.
Characters
The Canary
A small, slender songbird, about 12-13 cm in length, with delicate bone structure. Its build is light and agile, allowing for quick, darting movements.
Attire: Natural plumage of a canary, which is its 'clothing'.
Wants: To perfect its singing and gain appreciation for its art.
Flaw: Vulnerable to criticism and easily disheartened by malicious gossip, leading it to cease singing.
Starts as a celebrated singer, becomes silenced by calumny, and is eventually vindicated, regaining its confidence and voice.
Diligent, talented, sensitive, easily discouraged, and ultimately resilient.
The Jackdaw
A medium-sized, stocky bird, about 34 cm in length, with a robust build. Its movements are often clumsy and boisterous compared to smaller songbirds.
Attire: Natural plumage of a jackdaw, which is its 'clothing'.
Wants: To gain fame and attention by tearing down others, as it cannot achieve recognition through its own merits.
Flaw: Its own lack of talent and deep-seated envy, which leads to its downfall.
Starts as a malicious slanderer, gains temporary notoriety, and is ultimately transformed into a braying ass as punishment, becoming an object of ridicule.
Envious, malicious, cunning, loud, and ultimately foolish.
The Eagle
A large, powerful bird of prey, with a wingspan of over 2 meters and a commanding presence. Its build is muscular and regal, indicative of its status as queen.
Attire: Natural plumage of an eagle, which is its 'clothing'.
Wants: To maintain order and justice among her subjects, and to uncover the truth.
Flaw: Initially susceptible to widespread rumors, requiring direct verification.
Acts as an arbiter, moving from initial skepticism due to widespread rumor to righteous indignation upon discovering the truth, ultimately seeking divine justice.
Just, authoritative, discerning, and protective of her subjects.
Jupiter
A powerful, imposing deity, depicted with a muscular build and an aura of immense authority. He is often imagined with a flowing beard and a commanding presence.
Attire: Classical Roman attire, such as a flowing toga or chiton, made of rich, heavy fabric, possibly adorned with gold trim or celestial motifs. His shoulders might be draped with a cloak.
Wants: To uphold divine order and punish those who commit injustice.
Flaw: None explicitly stated; he is portrayed as all-powerful.
Appears briefly to grant the Eagle's request for justice, demonstrating his power.
Just, omnipotent, decisive, and responsive to appeals for justice.
Locations
The Aviary / Gathering Place of Birds
An open, natural setting where various birds congregate, likely a clearing or a large tree with many branches, allowing for public display and judgment. The atmosphere is initially one of appreciation, then turns to gossip and judgment.
Mood: Initially appreciative and musical, then becomes envious, gossipy, and judgmental, finally turning to ridicule and justice.
The Canario performs and gains applause, the Grajo publicly slanders the Canario, and later, the Grajo is forced to 'sing' and rebuffs, revealing his true nature.
The Eagle's Royal Perch / Court of the Birds
A prominent, elevated location befitting the 'Queen of the Birds,' the Eagle. This could be a high cliff face, a majestic mountain peak, or the uppermost branches of the tallest tree, signifying authority and a place of judgment. The atmosphere is one of solemnity and justice.
Mood: Authoritative, just, and ultimately triumphant for the Canario, with a sense of divine intervention.
The Eagle, as queen, commands the Canario to sing to verify the accusations, and later, at Jupiter's command, orders the Grajo to sing, leading to his public humiliation.