THE OAK AND THE REED
A mighty oak that had been uprooted by a terrible storm, lay on the bank of a river.
On the edge of the water grew a straight slender reed.
“What, are you still growing!” said the oak. “I was big and strong. You are little and weak.”
“I can explain,” answered the reed. “You fought the storm as it swept by. So you were uprooted for all your splendid strength. Instead of fighting the storm, I bent to it, and I still stand.”
—Æsop.
Rewrite the above fable, using other words in place of those that are italicized.
100
a gainst
de pends