Fables can also be in the form of poems, like these poems by Ignacy Krasicki.
The Lamb and the Wolves
Aggression ever finds cause if sufficiently pressed.
Two wolves on the prowl had trapped a lamb in the forest
And were about to pounce. Quoth the lamb: “What right have you?”
“You’re toothsome, weak, in the wood.”—The wolves dined sans ado*.
The Violet and the Grass
In the shade of spreading trees on a beautiful green
‘Mid grass took root a violet, none lovelier seen.
The grass grew tall and broad; the violet, terrified,
Hid as it might, but its scent there was no way to hide.
As the envious sward# rejoiced at its neighbor’s pass,
The mowers cut down violets as well as the grass.
Bread and Sword
As the bread lay next to the sword, the weapon demurred:
“You would certainly show me more respect if you heard
How by night and by day I conscientiously strive
So that you may safely go on keeping men alive.”
“I know,” said the bread, “the shape of your duty’s course:
You defend me less often than you take me by force.”
The Stream and the River
The stream swiftly running through a beautiful valley
Did reproach the great river for flowing so slowly.
Said the river: “Ere we two the morning dawn shall see,
You quickly, and I slowly, will fall into the sea.”
* Sans ado can be loosely translated to “without much trouble”.
# Sward: the grass portion of the pasture.
