The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods

: Aesop's Fables

THE GODS, according to an ancient legend, made choice of certain

trees to be under their special protection. Jupiter chose the

oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and

Hercules the poplar. Minerva, wondering why they had preferred

trees not yielding fruit, inquired the reason for their choice.

Jupiter replied, "It is lest we should seem to covet the honor

for the fruit." But said Minerva, "Let anyone say what he will

the olive is more dear to me on account of its fruit." Then said

Jupiter, "My daughter, you are rightly called wise; for unless

what we do is useful, the glory of it is vain."



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