The Crow and the Fox

Master Crow, perched upon a tree,
Was holding cheese within his beak.
Master Fox, by the scent drawn near,
Spoke to him in words like these:

“Well, hello there, Master Crow!
How fine you look! How handsome, too!
Truly, if your song could match
Your lovely plumage through and through,
You’d be the Phoenix of these woods!”

At these words, the Crow was overjoyed;
And to show off his beautiful voice,
He opened wide his beak—and dropped his prize.

The Fox snapped it up and said: “My dear sir,
Learn that every flatterer
Lives at the expense of those who listen:
This lesson is well worth a cheese, I’m certain.”

The Crow, ashamed and mortified,
Swore—a bit too late—he’d not be fooled again.