A. That he was hungry; that he was greedy; that he meant to get the cheese.
Q. When he began to flatter the Crow, what did you think of him?
A. That he was sharp; that he was trying to fool the Crow.
Q. What did you think of him when he said that her voice was finer than the voices of the other birds, just as her coat was?
A. He was really flattering. Before, he was telling some truth, for her feathers were glossy and her eyes were bright.
Q. Did he really think she could sing?
A. No. He knew she could only caw. He was lying, then.
Q. What did he say after she had dropped the cheese?
A. "That was all I wanted."
Q. And then?
A. "Do not trust flatterers."
Q. Did the Fox mean it?
A. Yes. But he was plaguing her, sneering at her. He wasn't really sincere.
Q. Now tell me what you've learned about the Fox.
A. He was a lively animal that looked like a dog, with a long nose and bushy tail. He was smart, wise, knew how to flatter and get what he wanted. But he was a liar and a mean fellow all around.
Q. Now, let us study the Crow. What did she look like?
A. She was a big black bird with glossy feathers and a bright eye. She had a big black bill and black wings.
Q. Did she have a good voice for singing?
A. No. She could only say "caw, caw, caw," in a hoarse, croaking voice.
Q. Where was she?
A. On the limb of a tree.
Q. Could the Fox reach her?
A. No. She was safe.
Q. What did she think of herself?
A. She thought she was pretty and smart and could sing.
Q. What would you say of her manners?
A. She was proud and conceited and foolish, silly.
Q. Now, tell me what you have learned of the Crow.
A. She was a big black bird with glossy feathers and a bright eye. She thought she could sing, but she was silly and proud and conceited. She was too easily fooled by the lies and flattery of the fox.
C. _The Scene._
Question. Where were the Fox and the Crow?
Answer. Outdoors, somewhere.
Q. Were they near a house?
A. I think so, because the Crow had cheese in her mouth.
Q. Was it a prairie country?
A. Perhaps, but there was one tree near.
Q. Was it day, or night?
A. Daytime, I think. Crows do not hunt at night, but foxes do.
Q. Tell me all you know or can guess about the place where the bird and fox were.
A. I think they were on the edge of the woods, not very far away from a farmhouse. One tree stood out by itself, and the Crow flew from the farmhouse to the lone tree.
D. and E. _The Lesson and the Author's Purpose._
Question. This is an old, old story, and it has been told in many languages. We cannot be sure who first wrote it. But what do you suppose the writer meant the story to do?
Answer. He meant it to teach a good lesson, I think.
Q. What is the lesson?
A. That foxes are tricky animals; that crows are silly birds; that flattery and lying are bad; that it is foolish to trust anyone who flatters you.
Q. Does that mean you do not trust people who praise you?
A. Oh, no. Praise is all right. Everybody likes to be praised.
Q. What is the difference between praise and flattery?
A. When a person praises you he tells the truth, and tells it because he likes you, and wants to help you; but when he flatters you, he lies and deceives you, and does it to fool you, because he wants you to do something for him, or to get something you have.
Q. How can we tell whether we are being praised or flattered?