Snake and Weasel fought until they saw the Mice leaving. Yum.
Chambry (A snake and a weasel and the mice)
Note: The Chambry collection is published in Greek. AI was used to translate the Greek to this text:
A snake and a weasel were fighting in a certain house. But the mice there, always being consumed by both of them, when they saw them fighting, came out walking about. When the snake and the weasel saw the mice, then they abandoned the fight against each other and turned upon those ones instead.
In this way also, among cities, those who intrude themselves into the factions of the demagogues, without realizing it, become the prey of both sides.
How do you think an AI might simplify this fable? Here is one answer, and the illustration above was made from this simplification:
The Snake, the Weasel, and the Mice
A snake and a weasel were locked in fierce battle, giving the mice a rare moment to wander freely. But when the fighters noticed them, they forgot their quarrel and hunted the mice instead. So it is with people who meddle in others’ conflicts—they often become the common prey.
Moral
Those who step into another’s fight may find themselves devoured by all.
Perry. #197