A Pigeon lives in a nest-basket in a rich man's kitchen, where a greedy Crow, attracted by the food, devises a plan to befriend the Pigeon. The Crow pretends to share in the Pigeon's feeding habits while secretly indulging in cow-dung and worms. Eventually, the cook notices the Crow and hangs another basket for him. When fish arrives at the kitchen, the Crow feigns indigestion to avoid sharing the meal. The Pigeon, skeptical of the Crow's claims, warns him about his behavior. Ignoring the advice, the Crow attempts to steal food but is caught by the cook, who punishes him by plucking his feathers and throwing him into a basket. The Pigeon later finds the Crow in distress and mocks him with a poem, to which the Crow responds, lamenting his greed and disobedience. The Pigeon concludes that he cannot associate with the Crow any longer, leaving the Crow to suffer until his demise. The story illustrates themes of greed, consequences of poor choices, and the importance of heeding wise counsel.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1894 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fantasy