Aesop 031: The Fisherman & the Little Fish
Attribution
Translated into Quenya by Rínor in 2025. Reviewed for language by Chaered.
Notes
Number 18 in the Perry Aesop index. See also Wikipedia. First posted on VL, on 2025-12-22.
Note: The author does not wish that this Quenya text be used to train AI.
Motto: A small gain is worth more than a large promise.
Also potentially available in Sindarin at: Sindarin crash course
Text
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Alternative versions: English.
| No. | Quenya | Tengwar | Means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i·Lingwimo ar i·Níca Lingwë | | The Fisherman & the Little Fish |
| 2 | -- | | -- |
| 3 | Penya lingwimo, i vornanë i·lingwinen i raines sámë ú-almë uma ressë ar rainë alla hequa lai níca lingwincë. | | A not-wealthy fisherman who survived by the fish he caught had no blessing one day and caught only [a] very small fry. |
| 4 | i·Lingwimo þellë sestaitas vircolcaryassë yá i·níca lingwë quentë: | | The Fisherman intended to put it in his basket when the little fish said: |
| 5 | “Á órava nissë, Heru Lingwimo! | | “Please allow me to live, Master Fisherman! |
| Nanyë níca, ar nanyë ú-valda faren lyen colitan marelyanna. | | I am small, and I am not worthy enough for you to carry me home. | |
| Yá nauvan an·höa, oluvan i arya muleo lyen.” | | When I [am] bigger, I will become [a] better meal for you.” | |
| 6 | Mal i·lingwimo lintië sesta i·lingwë vircolcaryassë. | | But the fisherman suddenly put the fish in his basket. |
| 7 | “Manen auca naiévan,” quentes, “lerya tye. | | “I am foolish to return you,” he said. |
| Aimanen níca natyë, natyë i arya tá allana.” | | Even if you are small, you are better beyond having nothing.” | |
| 8 | -- | | -- |
| 9 | Eques: Níca cambië ná valda enetya höa vanda. | | Motto: A small gain is worth extra [than] a large promise. |