p.9

TRIAL 9 エクササイズ

A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree. “That's for me, as I am a Fox,” said the Fox, and he walked up to the foot of the tree. “Good day, Mistress Crow,” he cried. “It's surely a very good day, because I've got this!” the Crow replied, showing the cheese that she had put on the branch. “Wow, but that must be too much for you,” said the Fox. “No, it's not too much. It is just right for me. You want the cheese, don't you? But I'll never give you any, not even a bit of it,” she said and took the cheese in her beak again. “No, I don't want the cheese. By the way, you look very beautiful today. How glossy your feathers are, and how bright your eyes are!” The Crow was happy at the Fox's praise. “I'm sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does. I'd love to hear you sing just one song to make this a good day for me.” The Crow lifted up her head and began to sing, but the moment she opened her mouth, the piece of cheese fell to the ground. The Fox took it and said knowingly, “That will do. That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future. Do not trust flatterers.”