A jackdaw that surpassed the other jackdaws in size held those of its own tribe in contempt, went off to the crows, and asked to share their life. But the crows, to whom its shape and voice were unknown, beat it and drove it away. And it, rejected by them, came back to the jackdaws; but the jackdaws, stung by the affront, refused to receive it. So it came about that it was shut out from the society of both.
It is the same among people. Those who leave their homeland and prefer another country to it are looked on badly in that country, because they are foreigners, and they are hateful to their own fellow citizens, because they have scorned them.
Nº 163The Jackdaw and the PigeonsA jackdaw, on spotting some well-fed pigeons in a dovecote, whitened its plumage and presented itself to share their food. As long as it kept silent,…Read the fable →
Nº 166The Crow and HermesA crow caught in a snare promised Apollo to burn incense to him; but, saved from danger, he forgot his promise. Caught again, in another snare, he…Read the fable →
Nº 167The Crow and the SerpentA crow short of food caught sight of a serpent sleeping in the sun; he swooped down and carried it off. But the serpent turned and bit him, and the…Read the fable →