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The Eagle and the Kite.

An Eagle, overwhelmed with sorrow, sat upon the branches of a tree, incompany with a Kite. "Why," said the Kite, "do I see you with such arueful look?" "I seek," she replied, "for a mate suitable for me, and amnot able to find one." "Take me," returned the Kite; "I am much strongerthan you are." "Why, are you able to secure the means of living by yourplunder?" "Well, I have often caught and carried away an ostrich in mytalons." The Eagle, persuaded by these words, accepted him as her mate.Shortly after the nuptials, the Eagle said: "Fly off, and bring me backthe ostrich you promised me." The Kite, soaring aloft into the air,brought back the shabbiest possible mouse. "Is this," said the Eagle,"the faithful fulfillment of your promise to me?" The Kite replied:"That I might attain to your royal hand, there is nothing that I wouldnot have promised, however much I knew that I must fail in theperformance."

Promises of a suitor must be taken with caution.

From Aesop's Fables