betook himself again to the Jackdaws. They too, not recognizing him on account of his colour, expelled him from living with them.
So, desiring two objects, he obtained neither.
(Fable 201 b. Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE CROW AND MERCURY
A CROW caught in a snare prayed to Apollo to release him, making a vow to offer some frankincense at his shrine. Being rescued from his danger, he forgot his promise. Shortly afterwards, on being again caught in a second snare, passing by Apollo he made the same promise to offer frankincense to Mercury. Whereupon Mercury appeared, and said to him, "O thou most base fellow! how can I believe thee, who hast disowned and wronged thy former patron?"
Those who prove ungrateful to former benefactors, cannot hope for further aid.
(Fable 205 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
THE CROW AND THE SERPENT
A CROW, in great want of food, saw a Serpent asleep in a sunny nook, and flying down, greedily seized him. The Serpent turning about, bit the Crow with a mortal wound; the Crow in the agony of death exclaimed: "O unhappy me! who have found in that which I deemed a happy windfall the source of my destruction."
There are many men who will, like the Serpent, endanger their lives, for the sake of finding treasure.
(Fable 207 Halm; Townsend's translation.)
