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Re: Larry vs. Joel vs. Ovidby belg4mit (Prior) |
on Nov 21, 2001 at 04:27 UTC ( [id://126687]=note: print w/replies, xml ) | Need Help?? |
"The rigid oak may topple to a gust of wind but the
flexible reed still stands."
...or something. Actually: The Oak and the Reed from Aesop's Fables The Oak spoke one day to the Reed "You have good reason to complain; A Wren for you is a load indeed; The smallest wind bends you in twain. You are forced to bend your head; While my crown faces the plains And not content to block the sun Braves the efforts of the rains. What for you is a North Wind is for me but a zephyr. Were you to grow within my shade Which covers the whole neighbourhood You'd have no reason to be afraid For I would keep you from the storm. Instead you usually grow In places humid, where the winds doth blow. Nature to thee hath been unkind." "Your compassion", replied the Reed "Shows a noble character indeed; But do not worry: the winds for me Are much less dangerous than for thee; I bend, not break. You have 'til now Resisted their great force unbowed, But beware. As he said these very words A violent angry storm arose. The tree held strong; the Reed he bent. The wind redoubled and did not relent, Until finally it uprooted the poor Oak Whose head had been in the heavens And roots among the dead folk. Explicitly in reply to the UPDATE.
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