Folk Tale
The Rooster and the Gem
Translated From
D'un coc qui truva une Gemme sor un Fomeroi
Author | Marie de France |
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Book Title | Ysopet |
Publication Date | 1200 |
Language | Old French |
Other Translations / Adaptations
Text title | Language | Author | Publication Date |
---|---|---|---|
O kohoutu a perle | Czech | Václav Hollar | 1665 |
Author | Mary Lou Martin |
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Book Title | The Fables of Marie de France |
Publication Date | 1979 |
Language | English |
Origin | France |
There once was a rooster who climbed atop a dung hill and began to scratch, looking for his food in the way he knew best, according to his nature. Seeing something sparkling, he examined it closely and found it to be a precious gem. "I thought I would find my food in this dung hill," he said. "Instead, I've found you, my gem, but you'll never leave this place through my help. If a rich man had found you, I'm sure he would have graced you with beautiful gold which would have enhanced your brilliance. But since I can't embellish you as I would like, I'll not adorn you at all."
So it goes, as we have often see, with many people, both men and women. If everything does not go according to their wish, as with the rooster and the gem, they do not value good and honor at all but instead take the worst and scorn the best.
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