La Cebrita Testaruda

Abstract

"Here is booklet #16 out of a series of twenty-seven. Each booklet of sixteen pages contains three fables. The title-fable transforms an Aesopic fable in which a lion runs away from a rooster. Then a donkey chases the lion and gets devoured for his trouble. Lions for some reason are frightened of roosters. Here a stubborn zebra gets that same idea and will not listen to the rooster's advice not to chase the lion. The lion laughs at the advancing zebra. Here the rooster intervenes with his crowing and saves the silly zebra. "El Labrador y el Águila" shows a passing traveler freeing a beautiful eagle from a trap. A bit later this traveler rests against a wall verging on a precipice. The eagle swoops down and takes the man's hat. Once the man gets up to chase the eagle, the latter drops the hat. When he returns to rest, the man sees that the wall has given way down the precipice. Reward one favor with another. "El Congrejo Traidor" uses a traditional fable turn of events: crab betrays turtle to crocodile, and when crocodile betrays crab, turtle does not come to his aid. The most delightful image might be that of the snorkeling turtle at the start of the third story."