← All chapters
Aesop's Fables · Chapter
The Rivers and the Sea explained
The Rivers complain to the Sea that their fresh waters become salty upon mingling, but the Sea retorts that they can avoid this by staying away.
What happens
The Rivers complain to the Sea that their fresh waters become salty upon mingling, but the Sea retorts that they can avoid this by staying away.
Themes in this chapter
Wisdom and Foolishness
The Sea's blunt reply suggests that the Rivers' complaint is foolish, as the solution is simple: avoid the cause of the problem.
Key passages
“When we come to you, we are sweet and drinkable: but when once we have mingled with you, our waters become as briny and unpalatable as your own.”
The Rivers argue that their fresh water turns salty only after joining the Sea.
This captures the central complaint of the Rivers.
“Keep away from me and you’ll remain sweet.”
The Sea advises the Rivers to stay apart if they wish to stay fresh.
The Sea's terse response underscores the moral of avoiding harmful associations.