Aesop's Fables
AN
EAGLE, flying down from his perch on a
lofty rock, seized upon a
lamb and carried him aloft in his
talons. A
Jackdaw, who witnessed the
capture of the lamb, was stirred with envy and determined to
emulate the strength and flight of the Eagle. He flew around with a great
whir of his wings and settled upon a large
ram, with the intention of carrying him off, but his claws became
entangled in the ram's fleece and he was not able to release himself, although he
fluttered with his feathers as much as he could. The
shepherd, seeing what had happened, ran up and caught him. He at once clipped the Jackdaw's
wings, and taking him home at night, gave him to his
children. On their saying, "
Father, what kind of bird is it?' he replied, "To my certain knowledge he is a
Daw; but he would like you to think an Eagle."