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The Fox and the Crow
A
Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle
on a branch of a tree. "That's for me, as I am a Fox," said
Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. "Good-day,
Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking to-day: how
glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must
surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one
song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds."
The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she
opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be
snapped up by Master Fox. "That will do," said he. "That
was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of
advice for the future:
"Do not
trust flatterers."
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