Aesops Short Fables: The Fox and the Crow

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Now be careful of the sneaky fox on this short fable adventure called The Fox and the Crow!

Make sure you've got all your food packed away or he may con you out of it!

The Fox and the Crow

One bright morning as the Fox was following his sharp nose through the wood in search of a bite to eat, he saw a Crow onthe limb of a tree overhead. This was by no means the first Crow the Fox had ever seen.

What caught his attention this time and made him stop for a second look, was that the lucky Crow held a bit of cheese in her beak.

"No need to search any farther," thought sly Master Fox. "Here is a dainty bite for my breakfast."

Up he trotted to the foot of the tree in which the Crow was sitting, and looking up admiringly, he cried, "Good-morning, beautiful creature!"

The Crow, her head cocked on one side, watched the Fox suspiciously. But she kept her beak tightly closed on the cheese and did not return his greeting.

"What a charming creature she is!" said the Fox. "How her feathers shine! What a beautiful form and what splendid wings!

Such a wonderful Bird should have a very lovely voice, since everything else about her is so perfect.

Could she sing just one song, I know I should hail her Queen of Birds."

Listening to these flattering words, the Crow forgot all her suspicion, and also her breakfast. She wanted very much to be called Queen of Birds.

So she opened her beak wide to utter her loudest caw, and down fell the cheese straight into the Fox's open mouth.

"Thank you," said Master Fox sweetly, as he walked off. "Though it is cracked, you have a voice sure enough. But where are your wits?"

The Moral Is: The flatterer lives at the expense of those who will listen to him.

What Did You Learn?

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That fox sure knew how to take advantage of the crow who was seeking flattery.

What is flattery anyway?

Well it's basically wanting people to give you excessive or insincere praise. The crow lost her lunch because she wanted to the fox to think she had the most beautiful voice ever.

Do you ever catch yourself wanting people to give you excessive praise? Just know that if you know you're good at something you don't need other people to tell you. If they do, say thank you but don't go seeking more praise.

We hope you enjoyed this short fable adventure!

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