Aesop's Phrases

The Tree and the Reed. 37 by Jacobs

"Well, little one," said a Tree to a Reed that was growing at its foot, "why do you not plant your feet deeply in the ground, and raise your head boldly in the air as I do?"
"I am contented with my lot," said the Reed.  "I may not be so grand, but I think I am safer."
"Safe!" sneered the Tree.  "Who shall pluck me up by the roots or bow my head to the ground?"  But it soon had to repent of its boasting, for a hurricane arose which tore it up from its roots, and cast it a useless log on the ground, while the little Reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over.
Obscurity often brings safety.

Pe70=Ch143, Cax4.20, Laf1.22, Kry1.2, TMI J832, Type298C*

The Oak and the Reeds. by Ernest Griset.

A violent storm uprooted an Oak that grew on the bank of a river. The Oak drifted across the stream, and lodged among some Reeds. Wondering to find these still standing, he could not help asking them how it was they had escaped the fury of a storm which had torn him up by the roots. "We bent our heads to the blast," said they, "and it passed over us. You stood stiff and stubborn till you could stand on longer."

Babrius36, Avi16, Town127, CS58, TMI J832, Type298C*

quotation from "VISNU SARMA The Pancatantra" translated by Chandra Rajan, Penguin Classics.

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Pancatantra 1.(93)

A hurricane does not uproot the pliant grass
that bends low before its fury;
it snaps only proud, lordly trees;
A man of might lets his valour speak
only to others of equal might.

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Pancatantra 3.(15)(16)

If a stronger enemy assails you,
better bend like the reed by the stream.
Do not rear like an angry snake
if unremitting prosperity is what you seek.

Following the lowly manner of the reed
a man gains great prosperity in time.
Adopting the overbearing manner of the snake,
he is simply courting death.

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Hito2.78, Kalila and Dimna. cf. Pancatantra 3.(116)

THE OAK AND THE WILLOW. by Ernest Griset.

A CONCEITED Willow had once the vanity to challenge his mighty neighbour, the Oak, to a trial of strength. It was to be determined by the next storm, and Aeolus was addressed by both parties to exert his most powerful efforts. This was no sooner asked than granted, and a violent hurricane arose; when the pliant Willow, bending from the blast, or shrinking under it, evaded all its force; while the generous Oak, disdaining to give way, opposed its fury, and was torn up by the roots. Immediately the Willow began to exult, and to claim the victory; when thus the fallen Oak interrupted his exultation: “Callest thou this a trial of strength? Poor wretch! Not to thy strength, but weakness; not to thy boldly facing danger, but meanly skulking from it, thou owest thy present safety. I am an oak, though fallen; thou still a willow, though unhurt. But who
except so mean a wretch as thyself would prefer an igno- minious life, preserved by craft or cowardice, to the glory of meeting death in an honourable cause?”

Bewick 1.24