Aesop's Fables

An Eagle, flying down from his perch on a lofty rock, seized 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 on a large ram, intending to carry him off, but his claws became entangled in the ram’s fleece, and he was not able to free himself, although he fluttered 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. When they asked, “Father, what kind of bird is it?” he replied, “To my certain knowledge, he is a Jackdaw, but he would like you to think he is an Eagle.”