# The Fox and the Crow explained — Aesop's Fables

> Chapter companion for Aesop's Fables by Aesop.

## What happens

A Crow, holding a piece of cheese, is flattered by a Fox's praise of her beauty and voice. When she caws to prove her singing, she drops the cheese, which the Fox snatches, remarking that she lacks wits.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cunning and Deception

The Fox uses flattery to deceive the Crow and steal her cheese.

### Wisdom and Foolishness

The Crow's vanity leads her to act foolishly, losing her prize.

## Character check-ins

### The Fox

Flatters the Crow to trick her into dropping the cheese.

### The Crow

Falls for the Fox's flattery and loses her cheese.

## Key lines

> What a noble bird I see above me! Her beauty is without equal, the hue of her plumage exquisite. If only her voice is as sweet as her looks are fair, she ought without doubt to be Queen of the Birds.

The Fox praises the Crow's appearance and suggests she would be queen if her voice matched her looks.

_The Fox's flattery is the key deception that leads to the Crow's downfall._

> You have a voice, madam, I see: what you want is wits.

The Fox mocks the Crow, saying she can sing but lacks intelligence.

_The moral of the story is that flattery often hides a selfish motive._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters/the-fox-and-the-crow
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/fables_se/chapters