Dogs declared war on the Wolves but could not find a general to lead them.
Babrius Translation (The Dogs and The Wolves)
A feud between the dogs and wolves arose,
And of their host the dogs as leader chose
One from Achaia: who, like general sage,
Kept holding back. His troops began to rage
At his preferring ambush to fair fight.
“Why I delay,” he answered “hear aright,
“And why I’m careful. Prudence can’t be wrong.
“Our foes I see are one united throng;
“But some of us have from Molossia come,
“Others from Crete, from Acarnania some:
“Some are Dolopian: others Cyprus boast,
“Or Thrace their home: in short, a various host.
“We differ, unlike these, in colour too,
“Being, some black, and some of ashen hue:
“While some are bright and mottled in the chest,
“Others are white. Discordant bands at best
“How can I marshal, with an eye to war,
“Gainst troops that all alike in all things are? ”
For aught more good than harmony to seek
Is vain. Disunion slavish is, and weak.
How do you think an AI might simplify this fable? Here is one answer, and the illustration above was made from this simplification:
The dogs declared war on the wolves and chose a clever hound from Achaia as their general. When the troops demanded an immediate attack, the general shook his head. “Look at the wolves,” he said. “They are one pack, same homeland, same color, same mind. But you dogs come from many places—Crete, Thrace, Cyprus, Molossia—and you are black, white, spotted, and brown. How can I lead an army that quarrels even over its colors against foes who stand together?”
Moral
Strength lives in unity; division turns even the boldest into the weak.
Perry. #343