How does the Crow react to the Fox's words?

The Crow is easily fooled because she wants to believe the Fox's compliments. Her desire for validation causes her to forget her common sense.

What is the cultural significance of this fable?

It is one of the most famous cautionary tales about manipulation. It is used globally to teach children about social intelligence and the dangers of ego.

The Fox and the Crow: Moral and Lesson Plan

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A crow found a piece of cheese and flew up to a branch to enjoy it.

A fox was passing below. He smelled the cheese and sat down under the tree. He wanted that cheese, and he had a plan.

"Good morning, beautiful bird," he called. "What shining feathers you have! What bright eyes! If your voice is as lovely as the rest of you, you must be the queen of all the birds."

The crow lifted her head with pride. Nobody had ever spoken to her so nicely. She wanted to show the fox her wonderful voice.

She opened her beak to sing. "Caw!"

Down fell the cheese, straight into the fox's mouth.

"Thank you," said the fox, licking his lips. "You do have a voice. What you need now is some sense."

The moral

Do not trust those who flatter you.

Discussion questions

Why does the Fox say such nice things to the Crow?
What mistake does the Crow make?
How can we tell a true compliment from flattery?

Questions about this fable

What is the moral of The Fox and the Crow?

The moral is to beware of flattery. It teaches that those who praise you excessively often have a hidden agenda or want something from you.

Who wrote The Fox and the Crow?

The story is credited to Aesop, an ancient Greek storyteller. It has been retold for centuries by various authors, including Jean de La Fontaine.

Why did the Fox praise the Crow?

The Fox praised the Crow to appeal to her vanity. He knew that if she felt proud enough, she would try to show off and drop the cheese.

What does the cheese symbolize in the story?

The cheese symbolizes a hard-earned prize or a valuable possession. It represents how easily we can lose what we have if we are distracted by pride.

The Fox and the Crow