The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods

英语自学网

The Trees Under the Protection of the Gods
            THE GODS, according to an ancient legend, made choice of certain
            trees to be under their special protection.  Jupiter chose the
            oak, Venus the myrtle, Apollo the laurel, Cybele the pine, and
            Hercules the poplar.  Minerva, wondering why they had preferred
            trees not yielding fruit, inquired the reason for their choice.
            Jupiter replied, "It is lest we should seem to covet the honor
            for the fruit."  But said Minerva, "Let anyone say what he will
            the olive is more dear to me on account of its fruit."  Then said
            Jupiter, "My daughter, you are rightly called wise; for unless
            what we do is useful, the glory of it is vain."