The Two Poets


  Two Poets were quarrelling for the Apple of Discord and the Bone of 
Contention, for they were very hungry.

  "My sons," said Apollo, "I will part the prizes between you.  You," 
he said to the First Poet, "excel in Art - take the Apple.  And 
you," he said to the Second Poet, "in Imagination - take the Bone."

  "To Art the best prize!" said the First Poet, triumphantly, and 
endeavouring to devour his award broke all his teeth.  The Apple 
was a work of Art.

  "That shows our Master's contempt for mere Art," said the Second 
Poet, grinning.

  Thereupon he attempted to gnaw his Bone, but his teeth passed 
through it without resistance.  It was an imaginary Bone.