Aesop 031: The Fisherman & the Little Fish
Notes
Translation by VL user Rinor/Celebrinor in 2025. First posted on VL, on 2025-12-22; reviewed by VL user Chaered.
Motto: A small gain is worth more than a large promise.
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Alternative versions: English (literal).
【1】 i·Lingwimo ar i·Níca Lingwë
► The Fisherman & the Little Fish
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【3】 Penya lingwimo, i vornanë i·lingwinen i raines sámë ú-almë uma ressë ar rainë alla hequa lai níca lingwincë.
► A poor Fisherman, who lived on the fish he caught, had bad luck one day and caught nothing but a very small fry.
【4】 i·Lingwimo þellë sestaitas vircolcaryassë yá i·níca lingwë quentë:
► The Fisherman was about to put it in his basket when the little Fish said:
【5】 “Á órava nissë, Heru Lingwimo!
► "Please spare me, Mr. Fisherman!
¶ Nanyë níca, ar nanyë ú-valda faren lyen colitan marelyanna.
► I am so small it is not worth while to carry me home.
¶ Yá nauvan anhöa, oluvan i arya muleo lyen.”
► When I am bigger, I shall make you a much better meal."
【6】 Mal i·lingwimo lintië sesta i·lingwë vircolcaryassë.
► But the Fisherman quickly put the fish into his basket.
【7】 “Manen auca naiévan,” quentes, “lerya tye.
► "How foolish I should be," he said, "to throw you back.
¶ Aimanen níca natyë, natyë i arya tá allana.”
► However small you may be, you are better than nothing at all."
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【9】 Eques: Níca cambië ná valda enetya höa vanda.
► Motto: A small gain is worth more than a large promise.