Once upon a time, a sly fox lived in a forest. In that same forest, there lived an annoying crow.
Crow loved to brag about herself. She thought she was the best creature in the forest. Every morning she sang loudly, waking up all the animals. Crow thought she sang beautifully, but she was not a good singer. Fox especially hated her singing.
One morning Fox was sleeping under a tree. Crow's noisy song woke him up as usual. He was about to scold Crow when she flew away.
"Grr," Fox thought. "I need to teach Crow a lesson!"
Fox went back to sleep. Soon a flapping noise woke him again. Fox looked up and saw Crow returning. In her beak she was holding a big piece of cheese.
Fox's stomach growled.
"I'm hungry," he thought. "And that cheese looks delicious. But Crow will never share that cheese with me."
He watched Crow for a moment. She was flapping her wings again to show them off.
"I know what to do," Fox thought.
He stood up and stretched. "Ahh." He yawned loudly. Then he pretended to suddenly spot Crow.
"Oh! Good morning, Crow," he said.
Crow ignored him and kept showing off her wings.
Fox pretended to stare at her feathers. Then he put his paw on his heart.
"Am I still dreaming?" he cried. "Why, Crow, I never noticed how beautiful your feathers are!"
Crow spread her wings wider. She raised her beak high. Fox watched the piece of cheese. He licked his lips, but Crow didn't notice.
"I mean, just look at your feathers!" Fox went on. "They shine like the sun!"
Finally Crow looked down at Fox. As soon as she did, Fox let out a loud gasp. "And your eyes! They glow like the moon!"
Crow nodded. The cheese stayed firmly in her beak.
Fox looked at Crow slyly. "But I think your voice is the most beautiful thing of all. I love hearing your song every morning! Would you sing something for me now?"
Fox's compliments filled Crow with delight. She stood tall and got ready to sing. She opened her beak . . . and down fell the cheese.
Fox leaped to catch the treat. Then he gobbled it down.
Crow watched in horror. "My cheese! You tricked me, Fox!"
Fox grinned. "Your feathers are pretty, but let me give you some advice. Don't trust those who flatter you!"