The Crow's Counsel (Aesop)

An eagle perched atop a beach
Did spot a tortoise near his reach.

He had not seen this thing before
And walked up close to now explore.

The tortoise was within his shell,
And there remained, protected well.

With mighty beak, he pecked its back.
But no response from this attack.

With talons he did slash and rake.
But hardly did a scratch it make.

And so he thought he’d fly away,
To find another meal that day.

Just then appeared a smiling crow,
Who said, “let’s talk before you go.

Inside this shell’s a meal for two,
And I can tell you what to do.

With your great strength and my quick brain,
We both can something good obtain.

And so the eagle said he’d share
The shell now held within his care.

Then as the crow his trick did tell,
The eagle listened very well.

And did just what he had been told -
With claws, the shell did tightly hold.

Then with the tortoise, up he flew
Toward the sunny skies of blue.

And with the rocks now far below,
He let his package quickly go.

With stones below, it made impact
And open wide the shell did crack.

The crow was waiting close at hand,
Nearby the rocks, upon the sand.

And quickly did the meat then seize
And flew away, beneath some trees.

Upon returning to the place,
The eagle did not find a trace

Of crafty crow or meat to share –
The shell had been left fully bare.

So while the crow did eat his fill,
The eagle stood there hungry still.

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When following a charted course,
Consider well, how true the source.