THE HAWK, THE ROOKS, AND THE CAT.
In the trunk of an old elm tree dwelt a large bird of prey, with claws blunt, and eyes blind with age. The rooks fed him from their own store, while he, on his part, took charge of their young ones when the old birds went in search of food. One day, a cat—“Long Ear” by name—came to prey on the young rooks, who, when they saw her, gave a loud scream. The old hawk heard it, and said, “Who is that?” “I am a cat,” said “Long Ear.” “Ha!” quoth the hawk, “Cats love flesh, and the young rooks dwell here—that’s all I know. Get you gone at once, or I will put you to death!” “Not so,” said the cat. “I eat no meat now; and all the beasts of the field and the birds of the air love me—for I am good. I pray of you to let me stay, for you are old and wise, and can teach me much.” By this praise sly puss made the old hawk put his trust in her, so he let her stay in the trunk of the tree. Day by day she ate some of the young birds, and took all the bones that were left from the feast to a hole in the stem of the old elm tree, that the death of the young rooks might be laid to the charge of the hawk. The old birds were in great grief for the loss of their young ones; and when they saw the bones in the hole of the tree, they of course laid the blame on the hawk, and they all flew at the poor old bird and put him to death. He said with his last breath, “Ah me! How much worse than a foe is a false friend!”