The Duck and the Snake by Tomás de Iriarte
A narrative poem presents a dialogue between two creatures positioned near a pond. One creature, exhibiting pride in its versatility, boasts of nature’s generosity, claiming to master air, water, and land due to its inherent ability to fly and swim. This character elevates its status by implying that access to multiple domains confirms superiority over other beings. The other creature, characterized by cunning and strategic insight, challenges the boast. It argues that excellence is not achieved through claiming universal capability but rather through excelling in a specific realm where specialized skills prevail. This interlocutor points out that creatures inherently superior in particular environments—whether on land, in the air, or in the water—inevitably outperform those who attempt to be all things at once. The poem employs this exchange to underscore a broader moral: true wisdom lies not in pretense or the pursuit of generalized prowess but in the honest recognition and cultivation of one’s particular strengths. It criticizes the vanity of overstating one's abilities and emphasizes that nature has allocated distinct aptitudes to different creatures. The argument suggests that while the duck-like figure is proud of a wide range of capabilities, it ultimately fails in direct comparisons with creatures that are specialized, such as a swift falcon or a nimble trout. Through rhythmic verses and pointed dialogue, the work satirizes the irrationality of self-aggrandizement and the folly of claiming supremacy in every natural domain. It advocates a realistic approach to one’s talents and limitations, urging an appreciation for focused expertise rather than an unfounded pride in a broad, undefined competence. In its concise narrative and proverbial tone, the text offers a timeless reflection on human and animal behavior alike, making a case for humility and the pursuit of excellence within one’s true calling rather than the mere ostentation of one’s potential.
By Tomás de Iriarte · First published 1782 · Genre: Fable, Allegory, Poetry · 197 words
First lines
On the borders of a pond / Stood a Duck, discoursing thus: / "Nature to me is generous / All creatures else beyond.
For my life, it hath no bound / Water, earth or air within; / I can fly or I can swim, / When a-weary of the ground."
A cunning Snake stood by.
And heard the vaunting strain; / And hissing said, "How vain / To hold yourself so high!
What this Textopian page supports
The Duck and the Snake is listed on Textopian as a fable by Tomás de Iriarte, dated 1782 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Tomás de Iriarte
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Allegory, Poetry, Didactic, Satire
- Length: 197 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Duck and the Snake by Tomás de Iriarte
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Similar titles
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- The Ostrich The Dromedary And The Fox by Tomas De Iriarte
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Genres
- Fable — Features anthropomorphic animals imparting a moral lesson through a concise narrative.
- Allegory — Employs symbolic characters to represent ideas about nature, talent, and wisdom.
- Poetry — Written in verse with structured rhythm and rhyme, emphasizing literary style.
- Didactic — Intended to educate by highlighting virtues and the pitfalls of vanity.
Tags
fable · allegory · animal tale · didactic · morality · satirical · poetry · symbolism · narrative · humor · irony · paradox