Born in Laguardia in 1745, Félix María de Samaniego is one of the most renowned fabulists in Spain. From a wealthy Spanish family, Félix was able to dedicate himself to his studies with tranquility, and it is even said that he went to France to continue his education, although his training was largely done at the University of Valladolid. During his career he created different fables where his intention was always to ridicule human defects and, using different allegories, make them manifest on paper. He was given the position of mayor of a small town. Many of his works are inspired by the creations of Phaedrus and Aesop.
The best known Samaniego fables
The lion and the fox
- Summary: An old lion was tired of having to strain to eat, so he had the idea to tell all the animals that since his death was near, he wanted them to come visit him. After the assistance of several animals, an insightful fox warned that she would not go in as the last animals that approached did not come out again.
- Moral: you have to be cautious and cautious with some proposals, since not all people have the intention of doing good.
The lion and the Mouse
- Summary: a little mouse was caught in the hands of a great lion to his misery. However, the mouse asks for his life and the lion decides to free him. Shortly after, the same lion falls into a trap of hunters covered by a net. The rodent chews the rope and helps him escape from the fate to which he had been about to succumb.
- Moral: Doing good can generate rewards when you least expect it and need it the most.
The two friends and the bear
- Summary: two friends were going for a walk when suddenly they see a bear arrive. One of the friends climbs the tree and the other remains on the ground, he found no choice but to lie down and play dead hoping the worst would not happen. When the bear leaves, the tree friend walks over to see if the bear hurt the one on the ground. He was safe, but not thanks to his friend who only thought about his own well-being.
- Moral: if there is no reciprocity in a relationship, it is better to think twice instead of trusting a person who is not up to the task. Always try to be someone of trust for others, especially if you call them friends.
The goose that laid the golden eggs
- Summary: a hen laid an egg every day, but it was not just any one, it was a golden egg. Its owner thought that he had found a great fortune with the hen, so he killed it to search inside for the gold. He did not find any mine and the hen, already dead, no eggs were laid again.
- Moral: greed is the worst of all evils. You can lose a lot out of impatience with some quick and easy money to win. It is better to keep what is really valuable in life.
The milkmaid
- Summary: a milkmaid went to the market happy for everything she was going to get once she sold the milk that she carried in the jug that sat on her head. He thought he would get a lot of money, food, and all kinds of beasts once the exchange was made. She imagined all kinds of earnings and while she was blissfully dreaming of her future, in intense joy, she jumped and accidentally dropped the jug from her head and lost all the milk she was carrying.
- Moral: pay more attention to the present, before celebrating an uncertain future. It is better to seek a well-secured present as future ambition can cloud the path to goals and generate anxiety.
Congress of the Mice
- Summary: Mice met at a conference to discuss a huge problem that plagued the general mouse population and was a large hunting cat that plagued them daily with its intentions. They made excellent proposals, all of them were even approved by the council, however there was no rodent to execute them, since they all had a perfect excuse to avoid the work.
- Moral: many times it is easier to speak or criticize than to help build. Ideas become more valuable when they are executed.
The two roosters
- Summary: in a henhouse two roosters fought and the one that won boasted to the chickens of his great skill. Faced with such awards that were made, he was confused and an eagle that passed by sees him and hunts him, leaving his rival in such a way as the only rooster in the henhouse.
- Moral: gossip and filling your mouth after an achievement is not enough to have the merit, it is better to be cautious.
