The Fable of the Fox and the Grapes
Cami Park

There is a side of this that nobody knows, or talks about, and that is that the grapes were in love with the fox. Though they yearned to be pierced by the fox’s strong white teeth, they recognized the fox’s desire as lowly obsession, and so refused to give themselves to him fully, but instead remained trembling to bursting just out of reach.

At times, exhausted and near to giving in, the grapes would protest, Though my juices are dark and taut against my skin, they are sour, and could never satisfy you. The fox would stalk away, cursing, only to return hours later with a purpled tongue, apologetic and pleading. This went on for a season, the fox and the grapes trapped together in a tension of longing, until the grapes became truly sour, and withered, still out of reach. The fox, finally unable to be nourished by any other fruit, wasted away beneath the barren branch, tasting only sour.

From this we learn that while it is easy to despise what you cannot have, it is dangerous to become fascinated by it.

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