The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree
The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree is a fable written by Esopo. The story goes as follows: A poor man had an olive tree and a fig tree growing in his garden. He loved the olive tree because it produced delicious olives, but he hated the fig tree because its fruit was too sweet and made him thirsty. One day, a strong wind blew and damaged the olive tree, causing it to produce only bad-tasting olives. The poor man was overjoyed and said, "Now I have nothing to be sad about, for my fig tree has produced its best fruit!" What do you think of this fable?
By Esopo · First published 1668 · Genre: Fable, Children's literature, Folklore · 105 words
First lines
An Olive-tree taunted a Fig-tree with the loss of her leaves at a certain season of the year. "You," she said, "lose your leaves every autumn, and are bare till the spring: whereas I, as you see, remain green and flourishing all the year round. " Soon afterwards there came a heavy fall of snow, which settled on the leaves of the Olive so that she bent and broke under the weight; but the flakes fell harmlessly through the bare branches of the Fig, which survived to bear many another crop.
What this Textopian page supports
The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1668 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Esopo
- Date: 1668 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's literature, Folklore, Fantasy
- Length: 105 words
- Structure: 1 section, 1 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
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Similar titles
- The Walnut Tree by Esopo
- The Peasant And The Apple Tree by Esopo
- The Fisherman Piping by Esopo
- The Travellers And The Plane Tree by Esopo
- The Lark And The Farmer by Esopo
- The Goat And The Vine by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo is known for writing fables, which are stories often featuring animals and conveying moral lessons. The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree fits this description.
- Children's literature — Esopo's fables, including The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree, are often told to children due to their moral lessons and easily digestible storylines.
- Folklore — Many of Esopo's fables have been passed down through generations, thus categorizing them as folklore.
- Fantasy — The Olive-Tree and the Fig-Tree is a fable that includes anthropomorphic plants, placing it under the fantasy genre.
Tags
fable · allegory · morality · nature · trees · symbolism · wisdom · conflict · friendship · greed · humility · growth