Character Index | Proverb Index
|
|
| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Townsend version
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."
L'Estrange version
An eagle made a stoop at a lamb; truss'd it, and took it cleverly away with her. A mimical daw, that saw this exploit, would needs try the same experiment upon a ram: but his claws were so shackled in the fleece with lugging to get him up, that the shepherd came in, and caught him, before he could cleare himself; he clipt his wings, and carry'd him home to his children to play withal. They came gaping about him, and ask'd their father what strange bird that was? Why, says he, he'll tell you himself that he's an eagle; but if you'll take my word for't; I know him to be a daw.
Moral
'Tis a high degree of vanity and folly, for men to take more upon them then they are able to go thorough withall; and the end of those undertakings is only mockery and disappointment in the conclusion.
[Daw = Jackdaw; a European crow]
Comments? Please use the contact
page form.
Copyright © 2002
Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved