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  What it means

  “The mice ate King Popiel.” Refers to the legendary Polish ruler Popiel who, according to chronicle tradition, was devoured by mice as punishment for his crimes. Used to warn that evil deeds bring terrible retribution.

  Vocabulary

  • król — king
  • Popiel — Popiel (legendary Polish ruler)
  • mysz — mouse
  • zjeść — to eat up, to devour

  Grammar note

  'Myszy zjadły' — 'myszy' is nominative plural subject; 'zjadły' is perfective past plural of 'zjeść'.

  Cultural context

  Popiel is a figure from early Polish legendary history recorded by Gallus Anonymus. The story of his death by mice became a moral exemplum about the fate of cruel rulers.

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