A Sackful of Tricks

One day, in a tavern, the birds were talking about Raven's notice, that the Tourism Event, had to be postponed, because its implementation was not yet possible. Raven further gave acceptable considerations and decided that, the event, which would feature actors from outside the Land, would be held the following year.

While they were discussing Raven's decision, the Crow entered the tavern, and sat down in a corner. The birds didn't pay much attention, they were engrossed in their respective conversations. One of the birds, noticing the Crow, said to others, "Hey guys! Vernacular of mankind, mentioned that, it is a common habit among men, to talk of what is right and good, and to do what is quite the reverse."

Other bird responded, "Really? Tell us more!" Another chimed in, "Yeah... explain it, please!" The bird replied, "Catch this! ...

Reynard, the fox, and Puss, the cat, travelling together, beguiled the tediousness of their journey by a variety of philosophical conversations. “Of all the moral virtues,” exclaimed Reynard, “Mercy is surely the noblest! What say you, my sage friend, is it so?” “Undoubtedly,” replied Puss, with a most demure countenance; “Nothing is more becoming in a creature of any sensibility than a compassionate disposition.”

While they were thus moralising and mutually complimenting each other on the wisdom of their respective reflections, a Wolf darted out from a wood, upon a flock of sheep which were feeding in an adjacent meadow, and without being in the least affected by the moving lamentations of a poor lamb, devoured it before their eyes.

“Horrible cruelty!” exclaimed Puss. “Why does he not feed on vermin, instead of making his barbarous meals on such innocent creatures?” Reynard agreed with his friend in the observation, to which he added some very pathetic remarks on the odiousness of a sanguinary temper.

Their indignation was rising in its warmth and zeal when they arrived at a little cottage by the wayside, where the tender-hearted Reynard immediately cast his eye upon a fine cock that was strutting about in the yard. And now, adieu moralising, he leapt over the pales, and without any sort of scruple demolished his prize in an instant. In the meanwhile, a plump mouse, which ran out of the stable, totally put to flight our Puss' philosophy, who fell to the repast without the least commiseration.

Suddenly, the Crow cried out, "He's a liar!" The birds, surprised, one of them said, "Careful Crow! Your Majesty, the Parrot, will be offended!" Another bird reacted, "Indeed, as you all know, the one we know as the Liar is, the Parrot!" Other acknowledged, "Agreed, he's the one and only!" 

Ignoring the nagging, the Crow argued, "Postponing this year's Tourism Event, is not a smart thing!" The Crow added, "He think he is extremely clever? Does he pretend to know more than I? While he alone knows one trick, I know a whole sackful of tricks!”

“Well,” refuted one of the birds, “I admit, he knows one particularly trick, but that one, let me tell you, is worth a thousand of yours!” Another said, "If you know a lot of tricks, then prove them!" The Crow challenged, "Let's prove it, I invite you to find anything to verify my tricks!" The Birds spoke to each other, then said, "Look out there, there are many fowls gathering. Let's see what you can do with them!" 

Outside, one of the birds, standing on a bench, anounced, "Attention please! The crow has something to say, so listen up!" Thus, the fowls were waiting tricks the Crow would do. However, the Crow had so many plans, he couldn't decide which one to try first. He moved here and there, but nothing except vain. Feels like a long wait until one of the folks, complained, "Where was the trick!" Another joined, "We're waiting!" Other cried out, "Boo!" And accordingly, ice creams, pieces of junk food, paper wrapping, soft-drinks, and a lot of other trash, thrown on the Crow's face.

One bird, said, "Hey Crow! Watch this!" Then he shouted to the crowd, "Guys! Observe this! All of you, know Miss Peacock, right? ... "Of course, who doesn't know her?" ... "Yeah, the fools know her as well!" ... "She's a photo model!" ... "An actress!" ... "Multi talented!" ... "An influencer!" ... "A politician!" ... "Indeed, if needed!" ... "It depends ...!" ... "Money talks!" ...

"Today, Miss Peacock is opening a shop. You better look on it!" The fowls responded, "Interesting! Show us the place, please!" "Okey!" said the bird, "But on one condition, all of you must follow my lead, singing!" They agreed, and the bird led the rhythm,

I am just a poor boy

Though my story's seldom told

I have squandered my resistance

For a pocketful of mumbles

Such are promises

All lies and jest

Still, a man hears what he wants to hear

And disregards the rest *)

Left alone, while sitting on the sidewalk, the Crow intoned,

Hello darkness, my old friend

I've come to talk with you again

Because a vision softly creeping

Left its seeds while I was sleeping

And the vision that was planted in my brain

Still remains
Within the sound of silence **)

Inside the tavern, the Birds were talking to one another, "He who sets up for more cunning than others, is generally, a silly fellow at the bottom. Whoever is master of a little judgment and insight into things, let him keep them to himself, and make use of them as he sees occasion; but he should not be telling others with an idle and arrogant flashiness of them.

One good appropriate discreet, made use of upon an emergency, will do a man more real service, and make others think better of him, than to have passed all along for a shrewd crafty knave, and be bubbled at last.

When any one has been such a fob as to insult his acquaintance, by pretending to more policy and trick than the rest of people, they are apt to wish for some difficulty for him to show his skill in; where, if he should falling through—as ten to one but he does—his misfortune, instead of pity, is sure to be attended with laughter.

He that sets up for a biter—as the phrase is being generally intent upon his prey, or vain of showing his art—frequently exposes himself to the traps of one sharper than himself, and incurs the ridicule of those whom he designed to make ridiculous."

Another one combined, "Plain good sense, and a downright honest meaning, are a better guide through life, and more trusty security against danger, than the low shifts of cunning, and the refinements of artifice. Cunning is of a deep entangling nature, and is a sign of a small genius; though when it happens to be successful, it often makes a glittery pretension to wisdom; but simplicity of manners, is the ally of integrity, and plain common sense, is the main requisite of wisdom." 

"And Allah knows best."

Citations & References :
- J.B. Rundell, Aesop's Fables, Cassell, Petter and Galpin
- Samuel Croxall, D.D., Fables of Aesop and Others, Simon Probasco
- Thomas Bewick, Bewick's Select Fables, Bickers & Sons
*) "The Boxer" written by Paul Simon
**) "The Sound of Silence" written by Paul Simon

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