🦊🐦 "The Fox and the Crow" — A Story of Flattery and Wisdom

🦊🐦 "The Fox and the Crow" — A Story of Flattery and Wisdom

Once upon a time, in a quiet forest where the sun peeked through the leaves and the air smelled of wildflowers, lived a clever fox named Faldo. Faldo had the sleekest fur and the brightest eyes—but more than anything, he had a sharp mind and a tongue of silver. He was not just cunning, but he prided himself on getting what he wanted through wit, not effort.

One bright morning, as Faldo wandered near a meadow in search of breakfast, a delicious smell wafted through the air. It wasn’t berries, nor a rabbit—it was cheese.

Faldo’s eyes sparkled. “Mmm... that's not just any cheese. That’s a rich, creamy piece—ripe and fresh!”

He followed the smell and looked up. There, perched on a high tree branch, was a proud-looking crow named Clara, holding a large chunk of cheese in her beak. Clara had found it near a picnic spot early that morning, and she was about to enjoy it after a long flight.

Faldo’s stomach growled. He wanted that cheese. But how could he get it from a bird who was clearly out of reach?He sat under the tree, thinking. A normal predator might try to climb the tree or scare the crow, but not Faldo. He had another idea.

He looked up at Clara and called sweetly, “Oh! What a magnificent sight! Is that a shadow of the sun I see above me, or is it your shiny feathers reflecting the light?”

Clara looked down, confused—but secretly pleased.

Faldo continued, “I have roamed many forests, but never have I seen such a graceful bird. The way you sit—so royal. And your eyes—like twin moons!”

Clara blinked, clearly flattered. She puffed up her chest a bit.

“But,” Faldo added, placing a paw to his heart, “what they say must be true—beauty is often silent. Alas! I’ve heard the nightingale, the lark, the robin… but never the song of the crow. Some say it’s not worth hearing—but I don’t believe such lies. I believe a bird with such beauty must surely have a voice of gold!”

Clara’s pride soared. Her beak tightened around the cheese. She wanted to prove Faldo wrong—no, to show him that she was not just a beauty, but also a singer.

With a proud flutter of her wings, she opened her beak to caw—

Faldo caught it mid-jump with a grin and landed gracefully. “Thank you, dear Clara,” he said, bowing deeply. “Your voice… well, it may not be golden, but your gift surely is.”

Clara gasped, realizing what had happened. Her pride turned to regret. “You tricked me!” she cawed.

Faldo licked his lips. “True. But in my defense, I only used what you already gave me—your pride.”

He disappeared into the bushes, humming happily, while Clara sat alone on the branch, watching the last bite of her meal vanish.

---

🌳 Later that Day…

As the sun dipped lower, Clara remained on her branch, thinking. She had been foolish. She let her ego get the better of her and lost what was hers because she craved praise.

But Clara wasn’t the kind of bird who would just sit and mope. No. If Faldo was clever, then she would learn to be clever too.

The next morning, Clara found another piece of cheese—not as big, but still tasty—and this time, she flew to the same tree and waited.

As expected, Faldo returned, his eyes lighting up when he saw her. “Well, well,” he said with a grin. “Back again, my sweet songbird?”

Clara said nothing.

“I must say, you were the highlight of my day yesterday. I can still hear your beautiful... unique voice,” Faldo smirked.

Clara s“Won’t you bless me with another song?” he asked.

But this time, Clara didn’t open her beak. She simply dropped the cheese to the ground—right in front of Faldo.

Faldo's eyes widened. “For me? Why, thank you!”

But as he stepped forward to grab it, a net sprang up, catching him in a clever trap Clara had set with the help of the forest mice.

“You thought only you had brains?” Clara cawed. “It’s time you learned your own lesson in flattery.”

Faldo struggled and laughed softly. “Touché, dear Clara. Touché.”

---

🌟 Moral 1: Don't let flattery cloud your judgment.

🌟 Moral 2: Even the wisest can be fooled—but they can also learn.

---

Let me know if you'd like a Urdu version of this story, or maybe a PDF printable version with illustrations! 🦊🐦📖tayed still, eyes calm.

And the cheese tumbled down through the air.