The Stag who Admired his Reflection

Fables of Jean De La Fontaine

A vain stag saw himself reflected
While standing in a crystal pool.
His antlers like a thicket spread
But when he looked below he rued
The sight of his narrow limbs
Which thinned to nothing under him.
"My legs do not match my head"
He said in sorrow regarding his form.
"This copse upon my his is merited,
While my feet do not conform."

Now while the stag was speaking thus
A bloodhound came and chased him off.
He tried to save himself as furious,
into the forests he took off.
But his antlers were an impediment
Catching the branches as he ran,
Impeding the service rendered by
His feet on which his life did hang.

And as he ran he cursed the crown
Which now began to drag him down.

We value what is beautiful and scorn the useful.
Yet beauty often destroys us.
The stag despised his feet which gave him life,
While valuing the crown which caused him strife.

[Courtesy of Aesopfables.com]