The Birds, either disbelieving his information or neglecting his advice, gave
themselves no trouble about the matter. In a little time the hemp appeared above
the ground, when the friendly Swallow again addressed himself to them, and told
them it was not yet too late, provided they would immediately set about the
work, before the seeds had taken too deep root. But as they still rejected his
advice, he forsook their society, repaired for safety to towns and cities, there
built his habitation and kept his residence.
One day as he was skimming along the streets he happened to see a large parcel
of those very Birds imprisoned in a cage on the shoulders of a bird-catcher.
"Unhappy wretches," said he. "You now feel punishment for your former
neglect; but those who, having no foresight of their own, despise the wholesome
admonition of their friends, deserve the mischief which their own obstinacy or
negligence brings upon their heads."
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!"
The Dog and His Shadow
A Dog, bearing in his mouth a piece of meat that he had stolen, was once
crossing a smooth stream by means of a plank. Looking into the still, clear
water, he saw what he took to be another dog as big as himself, carrying another