A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settleon a branch of a tree. ‘That’s for me, as I am a Fox,’ said Master Reynard, andhe walked up to the foot of the tree. ‘Good-day, Mistress Crow,’ he cried. ‘Howwell you are looking to-day: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. Ifeel 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 openedher mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up byMaster Fox. ‘That will do,’ said he. ‘That was all I wanted. In exchange foryour cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future .’Do not trustflatterers.
