
The Peacock and the Magpie.The Birds once met together to choose a king; and, among others, thePeacock was a candidate. Spreading his showy tail, and stalking up anddown with affected grandeur, he caught the eyes of the silly multitudeby his brilliant appearance, and was elected with acclamation. TheMagpie then stepped forth into the midst of the assembly, and thusaddressed the new king: "May it please your majesty, elect to permit ahumble admirer to propose a question. As our king, we put our lives andfortunes in your hands. If, therefore, the Eagle, the Vulture, and theKite, should make a descent upon us, what means would you take for ourdefense?" This pithy question opened the eyes of the Birds to theweakness of their choice and they canceled the election. From Aesop's Fables |