Español / A2
El espejo y el agua
El espejo y el agua discutían.
«Yo soy duro», dijo el espejo. «Muestro las cosas tal como son. Si una persona tiene una mancha en la cara, yo la enseño. Veo hasta la mancha más pequeña.»
«Yo soy blanda», respondió el agua. «No muestro las cosas tan bien como tú. Pero hago algo más: tú enseñas la mancha y yo la quito.»
El cuento termina con una idea: si hablas de forma dura de los errores de alguien, esa persona se molesta. Un consejo amable puede ayudarla a mejorar.
English summary · includes the ending
A mirror and water argue about their different qualities. The mirror describes its character as hard. It says that it reflects everything exactly and does not hesitate to show what is there. Water replies that its character is soft. Its images are incomplete and playful rather than exact.
The mirror then points to a particular strength: it can show even the smallest defect or mark on someone's face. Water answers that showing the mark is only part of the matter. It does something more, because it removes the mark.
The fable ends by comparing their qualities with two ways of correcting people. A harsh criticism makes its listener angry, while a gentle warning can help that person improve. The final answer therefore gives the advantage to water: its softness is connected with removing a fault, while the mirror's hardness is connected with displaying it.
Adapted for Lejrbål from the credited source.
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