Vanity

Said snow in cold superior syllables to the mountain stream: ‘O babbler, I am weary of your meaningless uproar.

You talk so impudently and you walk so saucily, and ever bolder are your gait and glances than before.

You are not fit to be a member of our family; so never claim to be a creature whom the mountain bore.

You roam and roll and tumble like an urchin in the dust. Go to the felds and plains and let us hear of you no more.’

The stream replied, ‘O do not speak such hurtful words to me. Do not be so proud and, what is more, do not be a boor.

I go because the mountain household is too high for me; but you be careful lest the sun should melt you to the core.’