The Sick Stag

"The Sick Stag" is a fable from the renowned French author, Jean de La Fontaine. The story revolves around a sick stag who hides in the forest, hoping to recover from his illness. When the stag notices that all the creatures of the forest are consuming the grass around his hiding place, making his figure visible, he blames his antlers for attracting attention. The narrative reflects the harsh realities of life, and shows how extreme self-deprecation and misjudgment can lead to misplaced blame and regret.

• Fable

								
In a land where stags abounded,
    One fell very sick indeed;
And he saw his bed surrounded
    By a dozen "friends in need."
"Gentlemen!" he muttered, "leave me,
    Leave me, I implore, to fate:
Since your tears can only grieve me,
    And your solace comes too late."
Not a bit;--their lamentations
    Lasted for a week, or more;

While they took their daily rations
    From his very scanty store.
Bit by bit his food diminished,
    Under such attacks as these;
Till the sufferer's course was finished
    By starvation--not disease.

For comforters of every kind
Some fee is necessary, mind;
And nobody will give advice,
Or shed a tear, without his price.
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