The Fox and the Crow

One day a fox came across a crow who was perched on a branch with a piece of cheese in its beak. Immediately, the fox began to consider how he might obtain it for himself.

`You have everything… strength, beauty and wisdom!` he said flatteringly to the bird. `If you only had a beautiful voice, then you would be perfect.`

Not wishing the fox to think that it did not have a fine voice, the crow began to sing.

Of course, the piece of cheese fell from its beak and the fox claimed it at once. `Your most serious problem,` laughed the fox, `is that you have more vanity than intelligence!`