XLVII.
WHY IS THERE ENMITY BETWEEN THE CROW AND THE HAWK?
The Rumanians tell another tale about the ugliness of young crows. It is the story of the crow and the hawk.
The crow was in very great distress, for however she tried and whatever she did, she could not rear a family. No sooner were the young hatched, than the hawk would come and pick them up. In vain did she try to hide her nest in the hollows of a tree or in the thickets of a bush, as sure as death would the hawk find them and eat them.
Not knowing what to do, she bethought herself and said, “How would it do if I try and get the hawk to be godmother, for then, being a near relation, she is sure to spare my little ones?” Said and done. She went out of her place to search for the hawk, and finding her, she said, “Good morning, sister.”
“Good morning,” replied the hawk.
“How pleased I should feel,” said the crow, “if you would become godmother to my children.”
“With pleasure,” replied the hawk, “why not?” And so they made up a covenant of friendship and of good-fellowship between them.
Before leaving the hawk, the crow said to her, “Now, sister, I have one request to make.”