~ 139. Athena and the Shipwreck ~
A rich man of Athens was making a voyage across the sea.
In a fierce storm, the winds and waves broke the ship to pieces. All the passengers were thrown into the water and had to swim for their lives.
The rich man, however, did not swim. Instead, he called upon Athena, goddess of his city. "O Athena, I'll give you a thousand gold pieces if you rescue me from the sea."
One of the ship's sailors swam by and shouted at him, "While you bargain with Athena, you should also try swimming!"
The goddess helps them that help themselves.
Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una, a collection of Latin fables that I've edited, free to read online. I am not translating the Latin here; instead, I am just telling a 100-word version of the fable.
Notes: This is fable 790 in the book, which is Perry 30.
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