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."
