A CROW having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it

　　in her beak1. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat

　　himself, and by a wily stratagem2 succeeded. "How handsome is the

　　Crow," he exclaimed, in the beauty of her shape and in the

　　fairness of her complexion3! Oh, if her voice were only equal to

　　her beauty, she would deservedly be considered the Queen of

　　Birds!" This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to refute

　　the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped

　　the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up, and thus addressed the

　　Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is

　　wanting."