CHS Kosmos Society | Spring for the ancient Greeks


184. WINTER AND SPRING

Perry 271 (Chambry 346)

[…] ‘Whereas I resemble a dictator or a despot,’ said Winter. ‘I command everyone to look not at the sky but down toward the ground; I frighten them and make them tremble and sometimes I make them content themselves while having to stay at home [oikos] all day.’ Spring [Ear] replied, ‘Indeed, that is exactly why mankind would be glad to get rid of you, whereas even the mere mention of my name is enough to bring them pleasure. By Zeus, there is no name more pleasant than mine! That is why they remember [memnēmai] me when I am gone and give thanks when I appear [phainomai] again.’

Adapted from translation by Laura Gibbs, online at Aesopica: Aesop’s Fables in English, Latin & Greek

After the recent post about winter, CHS Kosmos community members, inspired by this delightful fable from Aesop, are sharing some passages about spring!

Peter Elman, Selinunte temple ruins 1, Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 via Flickr