One of Aesop's Fables tells of the contest between the Wind and the Sun,
as to which is the more powerful.
The Wind blew furiously to blow the traveller's cloak off, but the harder he blew, the tighter the traveller clutched his cloak round himself.
Then the Sun began to shine. The traveller loosened his cloak. When the Sun beamed, the traveller took his cloak off, enjoying the warm weather.
Two very different families feature in A Lady's Honour, the latest Montailhac family tale. One has a member driven by ambition for higher office; so the family must always appear elegant, well mannered and united - in public, that is. Home life is sadly lacking in affection and shared interests.
The other family is ruled firmly but with genuine warmth and consideration for their needs and wishes.
This is my version of the Aesop story, which includes adventures, pets, villains as well as wine and roses - to symbolise the French and English parts of the story
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| Rosa Mundi, a striped Gallica, believed to date from 12th century [photo by Libby Norman] courtesy of Wikipedia |
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| Label of Grande Cuvée 1531 de Aimery, a Crémant de Limoux, a sparkling wine from southwestern France, courtesy of Wikipedia |
