Source: http://www.eastoftheweb.com/short-stories/UBooks/FoxCrow.shtml
Traditional version:
The Fox and The Crow
A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.
“That’s for me, as I am a Fox,” said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.
“Good day, Mistress Crow,” he cried. “How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds.”
The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.
“That will do,” said he. “That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future: “Do not trust flatterers.”
Moral: Do not trust flatterers.
Alternative version:
Source: http://www.aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?2&TheFoxandtheCrow
The Fox and the Crow
A CROW having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it
in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to possess the meat
himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. “How handsome is the
Crow,” he exclaimed, in the beauty of her shape and in the
fairness of her complexion! 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.”
Differences:
Cheese vs Meat
Praise vs Challenge
Modern Version:
Source: http://www.planetozkids.com/oban/legends/fox-crow-aesop-fable.htm
The Fox and the Crow
Aesop fable retold by Oban
One day, while he was out walking, a fox saw a crow swoop down and pick up a piece of cheese in its beak. The crow then flapped its wings and flew up onto a high branch in a nearby tree.
“Man, that’s a tasty looking piece of cheese,” said the fox to himself.
“Hey, I should have that cheese. I’m the fox and I deserve it,” he said. “I’m a sly, smooth talking fox too. I’ll have it soon enough.”
The fox walked over to the foot of the tree. “Hi ya, Miss Crow” cried the fox.
“How are you today?” asked the fox. “You’re looking mighty fine. Is there something different about you? Have you changed shampoo?”
“Your feathers look so glossy and black and your eyes are sparkling like diamonds,” said the fox, flattering the crow. “Hey, have you lost weight? Your figure looks great,”
“Wow, if you can sing as good as you look then I’ll have to call you Queen of all Birds” said the fox.
Flattered by all the compliments from the fox, and wanting to be called Queen of all Birds, the crow lifted her head and began to sing.
But the moment she opened her mouth the cheese fell out, and the quick fox jumped and caught it before it hit the ground.
“Yes!!!” yelled the fox, holding the cheese up over his head as he did his victory dance. “I got what I wanted.”
The fox looked up at the sad crow in the tree. “To show you I’m not a really bad guy I’ll give you some advice for the future” he said to the crow.
“ Never trust a flatterer.”
Existing book:
Existing illustrations:
Observation:
They all look alike. Profile view, similar angles. Nothing new.
More interesting illustration:
Close-up.
Cartoon style.
http://www.redbubble.com/people/tsipilevin/art/293043-12-the-fox-and-the-crow
Mixed media, shadows, silhoutte.
Simple shapes.
Nice expression.
Videos of the story:
Use of perspective (bird’s eye view).
Accompanying song.
Observation: Backdrop of story — Summer vs Winter
Character analysis of Fox: Sly, witty, smooth-talking
Character analysis of Crow: Eager to prove herself, not witty.
