Aesop | Greece
The Olive-Tree and The Fig-Tree
The proud Olive-Tree mocks the Fig-Tree for losing its leaves during winter, but a snowstorm breaks the Olive-Tree while the Fig-Tree remains unharmed.
Once upon a time, there were two trees: an Olive Tree and a Fig Tree. The Olive Tree was very proud because it stayed green all year, while the Fig Tree lost its leaves every winter.
One day, the Olive Tree said to the Fig Tree, "Look at me, I’m always green and covered with leaves. But you lose your leaves every year. You look quite funny!" The Fig Tree did not respond and stayed quiet.
Then, one winter, a big snowstorm came. Snow started to fall, covering everything in white. The Olive Tree, with its many leaves, caught a lot of snow on its branches. The snow was very heavy, and soon the branches began to break and snap. In the end, the Olive Tree had broken branches and lost all its beauty. It did not survive.
Meanwhile, the snow fell right through the bare branches of the Fig Tree and hit the ground. The Fig Tree was not harmed at all. It stood tall and strong, waiting for spring to come and bring its leaves back.
