A Tortoise desired to change its place of residence, so he
asked an Eagle to carry him to his new home, promising
her a rich reward for her trouble. The Eagle agreed and seizing
the Tortoise by the shell with her talons soared aloft.
On their way they met a Crow, who said to the Eagle: ‘Tortoise
is good eating.’ ‘The shell is too hard,’ said the Eagle in
reply. ‘The rocks will soon crack the shell,’ was the Crow’s
answer; and the Eagle, taking the hint, let fall the Tortoise
on a sharp rock, and the two birds made a hearty meal of
the Tortoise.
Never soar aloft on an enemy’s pinions.
