The man and the Satyr

Summary

The story presents a fable about a Man and a Satyr who form a friendship over drinks. During their time together, the Man uses his breath in two ways: first, to warm his hands on a cold day and later, to cool hot food. The Satyr becomes confused by the Man's ability to use the same breath to achieve opposite effects and ultimately decides to end their friendship, declaring he cannot trust someone who 'blows hot and cold' with the same breath. This tale communicates a lesson about inconsistency and reliability, encouraging reflection on trustworthiness and duality in behavior.

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A Man and a Satyr once drank together in token of a bond of alliance being formed between them. One very cold wintry day, as they talked, the Man put his fingers to his mouth and blew on them. When the Satyr asked the reason for this, he told him that he did it to warm his hands because they were so cold. Later on in the day they sat down to eat, and the food prepared was quite scalding. The Man raised one of the dishes a little towards his mouth and blew in it. When the Satyr again inquired the reason, he said that he did it to cool the meat, which was too hot. “I can no longer consider you as a friend,” said the Satyr, “a fellow who with the same breath blows hot and cold.”