Prevod

(The true wealth of learning lies not in heaping up facts, but in choosing those that are useful and necessary.) To a very cunning Monkey a certain Magpie said one day: “If you came 5 to my home, what a host of things I could show you! You know well how deftly 10 I steal and store a thousand treasures. Come, if you like, and you shall see them hidden 15 behind a chest.” The other said, “Very well, then,” and went along with her to the spot. 20 Mistress Magpie began to bring out a red garter, a hoop 25 for a coat, a buckle, two medals, the tip of a sword’s scabbard, 30 half a comb, a case for scissors, a piece of gauze, a battered 35 razor handle, three guitar pegs, and many other odds and ends. 40 “Well?” she said. “Come, sister, do you not envy me? Are you not amazed? In truth, no other 45 of my kind can match my riches.” Our Monkey looked at her 50 with a roguish expression, and at last said: “What nonsense! You have gathered 55 some fine rubbish. Here stands one who surpasses you, for what she stores is useful. 60 Just look, if you doubt me, at my cheeks. Beneath them, my friend, are two pouches 65 or pockets that shrink and swell. I eat as much as I need, 70 and store the rest in both against a time of want. You pile up, 75 you simpleton, old rags and trash; but I keep walnuts, hazelnuts, 80 sweets, meat, and various other necessary provisions.” And did this Monkey, 85 so very shrewd, speak only to the Magpie? It seems to me she speaks rather 90 to certain people who make a show of muddled miscellanies and heaps of words 95 without substance.