Aesop's Fables, translated by Laura Gibbs (2002)
503. ORPHEUS AND THE DOGS
Perry 448 (Dio
Chrysostom, Orations 32)
The animals were Orpheus' companions, and while they enjoyed and admired
his music, they never attempted to imitate it. But a few of the dogs,
those shameless and meddlesome creatures, set out to make some music of
their own. They straightaway went off by themselves to practice, changing
themselves into human form as they continued their musical pursuits. This
is where lyre players come from, and even today they cannot completely
overcome their inborn nature. As a result, they preserve the teachings
of Orpheus, but only to a small degree; for the most part it is the canine
music that endures.
Note: Orpheus
was the master musician of Greek mythology.
Source:
Aesop's Fables. A new translation by Laura
Gibbs.
Oxford University Press (World's Classics): Oxford, 2002.
NOTE: New
cover, with new ISBN, published in 2008; contents of book unchanged.
|