THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
A famished fox saw some clusters of rich black grapes hanging from a trellised vine. She resorted to all her tricks to get them, but wearied herself in vain, for she could not reach high enough. At last, she turned away, beguiling herself of her disappointment by saying: “The grapes are sour, and not ripe as I thought.”
Disappointment may be lightened by philosophy, even if the latter is wrong.
THE FOX AND THE RAVEN
A raven having stolen a bit of cheese, perched in a tree, and held it in her beak. A fox seeing her longed to possess himself of the cheese, and by wily stratagem succeeded. “How handsome is the raven,” he exclaimed, “in the beauty of her shape, and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of the birds!” This he said deceitfully; but the raven, anxious to refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw, and dropped the cheese. The fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the raven: “My good raven, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting.”