Section 260

The Crow and the Raven explained simply

Aesop's Fables by Aesop

Original excerpt

Excerpt preview

A Crow became very jealous of a Raven, because the latter was regarded by men as a bird of omen which foretold the future, and was accordingly held in great respect by them. She was very anxious to get the same sort of reputation herself; and, one day, seeing some travellers a...
Read full original text in reading mode

Public-domain original

A Crow became very jealous of a Raven, because the latter was regarded by men as a bird of omen which foretold the future, and was accordingly held in great respect by them. She was very anxious to get the same sort of reputation herself; and, one day, seeing some travellers approaching, she flew on to a branch of a tree at the roadside and cawed as loud as she could. The travellers were in some dismay at the sound, for they feared it might be a bad omen; till one of them, spying the Crow, said to his companions, "It's all right, my friends, we can go on without fear, for it's only a crow and that means nothing." Those who pretend to be something they are not only make themselves ridiculous.

Public-domain original text shown for study context.

What happens here

A short fable about The Crow and The Raven shows how choices, assumptions, or desires can lead to consequences.

Why this scene matters

This fable matters because it turns the lesson “Those who pretend to be something they are not only make themselves ridiculous.” into a compact story about everyday judgment.

Characters in this scene

  • The Crow: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.
  • The Raven: A figure in the fable whose choice helps reveal the lesson.

Simple story version

In simple terms, The Crow and The Raven face a small situation that reveals a larger lesson about behavior and consequences.