The Fox and the Crow

It came to pass (and could be so) That once in front of a window Which in a pantry chanced to be, A crow happened to fly by and see That there, within, some cheeses lay All spread out on a wicker tray. He took a whole one; off he flew Along came fox, walked up to crow Fox very much desired the cheese; He felt he had to eat a piece. He thought he’d set a trap and see If he could trick crow cunningly. The fox cried out, ‘Oh God! Oh sir! Ah, what a noble bird is here! I’ve never seen in all this world A sight as lovely as this bird! Would that his songs were just as fair, Beyond pure gold he would compare!’ All this grand praise the crow could hear: How through the world he had no peer. His voice he thought in song he’d raise; His singing never lost him praise. And so crow sang, his mouth agape; And thus he let the cheese escape. No sooner did it hit the ground, Than fox, he seized it in a bound. He had no interest in the song; The cheese he’d wanted all along.

A lesson’s here about the proud Who wish with fame to be endowed: If you should flatter them and lie You’ll find they readily comply. They’ll spend their all quite foolishly When they recieve false flattery.