Character Index | Proverb Index
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| Character Index | Proverb Index |
Two Cocks were fighting to rule the farmyard. One became the victor and the other hid in a corner of the yard. The victor, meanwhile, pranced around the yard, flapping his wings and crowing with all his might. Just at the moment an Eagle, sailing above, swooped down, caught up the crowing Cock and carried him off. The vanquished Cock immediately left his corner and ruled the yard from then on.
Townsend version
Two game Cocks were fiercely fighting for the mastery of the farmyard. One at last put the other to flight. The vanquished Cock skulked away and hid himself in a quiet corner, while the conqueror, flying up to a high wall, flapped his wings and crowed exultingly with all his might. An Eagle sailing through the air pounced upon him and carried him off in his talons. The vanquished Cock immediately came out of his corner, and ruled henceforth with undisputed mastery.
Moral
Pride goes before destruction.
L'Estrange version
Two cocks fought a duell for the mastery of a dunghill. He that was worsted, slunk away into a corner, and hid himself; t'other takes his flight up to the top of the house, and there with crowing and clapping of his wings makes proclamation of his victory. An eagle made a stoop at him in the middle of his exultation, and carry'd him away. By this accident, the other cock had a good riddance of his rival; took possession of the province they contended for, and had all his mistresses to himself again.
Moral
A wise, and a generous enemy will make a modest use of a victory; for fortune is variable.
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Tom Simondi, All Rights Reserved