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.
Text
View/hide translation...
Click the tengwar text to view/hide the romanized text. Click the romanized text to view the translation. Click the translation to hide it again. Refresh page to reset everything.
Also available as a 🖵wide screen version.
Alternative versions: English.
【1】 i·Lingwimo ar i·Níca Lingwë
► The Fisherman & the Little Fish
【2】 --
► --
【3】 Penya lingwimo, i vornanë i·lingwinen i raines sámë ú-almë uma ressë ar rainë alla hequa lai níca lingwincë.
► A not-wealthy fisherman who survived by the fish he caught had no blessing one day and caught only [a] very small fry.
【4】 i·Lingwimo þellë sestaitas vircolcaryassë yá i·níca lingwë quentë:
► The Fisherman intended to put it in his basket when the little fish said:
【5】 “Á órava nissë, Heru Lingwimo!
► “Please allow me to live, Master Fisherman!
¶ Nanyë níca, ar nanyë ú-valda faren lyen colitan marelyanna.
► I am small, and I am not worthy enough for you to carry me home.
¶ Yá nauvan anhöa, oluvan i arya muleo lyen.”
► When I [am] bigger, I will become [a] better meal for you.”
【6】 Mal i·lingwimo lintië sesta i·lingwë vircolcaryassë.
► But the fisherman suddenly put the fish in his basket.
【7】 “Manen auca naiévan,” quentes, “lerya tye.
► “I am foolish to return you,” he said.
¶ Aimanen níca natyë, natyë i arya tá allana.”
► Even if you are small, you are better beyond having nothing.”
【8】 --
► --
【9】 Eques: Níca cambië ná valda enetya höa vanda.
► Motto: A small gain is worth extra [than] a large promise.