The Old Woman and the Wine-Jar

Summary

This brief tale tells of an elderly woman who comes across an empty wine jar. Although the jar is empty, it still holds the lingering fragrance of the wine that once filled it. The old woman repeatedly inhales the sweet scent, marvelling at the aroma. She imagines how delicious the wine itself must have been if it left such a delightful perfume behind. The story subtly explores themes of memory, imagination, and the remnants of past pleasures—suggesting that even the faint remnants of something beautiful can evoke joy and inspire reflection.

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An old woman found an empty jar which had lately been full of prime old wine and which still retained the fragrant smell of its former contents. She greedily placed it several times to her nose, and drawing it backwards and forwards said, “O most delicious! How nice must the Wine itself have been, when it leaves behind in the very vessel which contained it so sweet a perfume!”