Pilpay is thought to have been a Hindu who lived many centuries before Jesus was born, and who wrote fables that have been translated into almost every language. His fables are older than those of Æsop.
THE FOX AND THE HEN
A hungry Fox, spying a fine fat Hen, made up his mind to eat her. But as he was about to spring upon her he heard a great noise, and looking up, saw a drum hanging upon a tree. As the wind blew, the branches beat upon the drum.
“Ah!” said he. “A thing that can make so much noise must certainly have more flesh upon it than a miserable hen.”
So, allowing the Hen to escape, he sprang upon the drum; but when he tore the parchment head open he found that there was nothing inside.
“Wretched being that I am,” said he. “I have missed a dainty meal for nothing at all.”
By being too greedy we may miss everything that is worth having.