~ 116. The Nightingale and the Glow-Worm ~
There was a nightingale singing in the woods one night, and a glow-worm came to listen to her song.
"You sing nicely," said the glow-worm. "But look at me! I glow in the darkness. I am radiant! I am a burst of light! You might say that I am a heavenly star who dwells here upon the earth! Take a look!"
The nightingale laughed at the glow-worm and said, "The darkness allows you to shine, it's true, but as soon as the sunshine dispels the shadows, everyone will see you for what you are: a nasty little insect, nothing more."
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 542 in the book, which is not in Perry's catalog; it is from the neo-Latin fabulist Desbillons.
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