THE FOX AND THE CROW A Crow was sitting on a branch of a…
““THE FOX AND THE CROW A Crow was sitting on a branch of a tree with a piece of cheese in her beak when a Fox observed her and set his wits to work to discover some way of getting the cheese. Coming and standing under the tree he looked up and said, "What a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without equal, the hue of her plumage exquisite. If only her voice is as sweet as her looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be Queen of the Birds." The Crow was hugely flattered by this, and just to show the Fox that she could sing she gave a loud caw. Down came the cheese, of course, and the Fox, snatching it up, said, "You have a voice, madam, I see: what you want is wits.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Flattery can be used to manipulate, leading to loss of valuable possessions.
In simple terms: Flattery tricks you into losing what you have.
Key Takeaway
Beware of insincere praise.
Themes
deception
pride
manipulation
Mood
cautionary
reflective
Type
moral
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching children
- leadership training
- political rhetoric
- personal relationships
Key Concepts
fable
moral lesson
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you been swayed by flattery?
- How can you discern genuine praise?
A Different Perspective
May not apply to all contexts.