Aesop's Fables - An Introduction to World Literary Masterpieces

Author: (Greek) Aesop
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The Fox and the Crow Lead-in
The Crow finally found a piece of meat and was about to enjoy it, but unexpectedly met a fox. Guess what the fox would do? Could he trick the meat away? A crow went out to forage and, on the way not far from the market, found a large, fatty piece of meat. The crow was overjoyed and quickly carried it in her beak. She decided to take the meat back to her nest to enjoy it. The Crow flew and flew, feeling a bit tired, so she landed on a tree to rest, still firmly holding the meat in her beak.
A fox spotted the Crow resting on the tree. What caught the fox's fancy was the large, fatty piece of meat in the Crow's beak. His eyes rolled as he thought of the meat, and his mouth watered. The fox suddenly had an idea. He walked to the base of the tree, feigning great respect, and said to the Crow, "Great Crow, good morning!" The Crow found it strange: "This cunning fox, when did I become a king?" While thinking about how to guard against the fox, she couldn't help but nod slightly at him, pretending to be a king.
The fox continued, "Great Crow, have you not heard the news? You were elected the king of the birds last night!" Just as the Crow was about to ask for clarification, she remembered the large, fatty piece of meat in her beak and quickly shut her mouth, shaking it gently to show her disbelief. The fox had already seen through her thoughts and said, "This is absolutely true. I just found out. I think a bird as capable, intelligent, and beautiful as you should have been the king of the birds long ago."
The Crow was delighted to hear this. The fox took a few more steps closer and said mysteriously, "I hear that almost all the birds, except for the magpie, support you and agree that you should be the king of the birds. The magpie says, 'The Crow is all black and loves to be praised for her beauty. She always thinks she is smart and capable, but in reality..." The fox hadn't finished speaking when the Crow was already trembling with anger. She opened her mouth and cursed, "That gossipy magpie, I..." But before she could finish, the large, fatty piece of meat had already fallen from her beak.
The fox picked up the meat, held it up to the Crow, and said with a smile, "If you weren't so vain and loved to hear my flattery, how could you have opened your mouth? How did the fatty meat end up in my hands?"
Reading Reflection
This story illustrates that flatterers often have ulterior motives. Those who love to hear compliments are easily deceived. We advocate learning to praise others, but if such praise lacks sincerity, we must doubt their intentions. If someone always praises qualities we do not possess, they must have sinister motives and should be watched out for. P3-4