07The Eagle and the Fox

VII
The Eagle and the Fox
An eagle and a fox had lived together for a long time as good neighbors. The eagle's nest was on top of a high tree; the fox's lair, at the foot of it. One day, however, while the fox was away, the eagle could not find any food for her young ones. So she swooped down and carried off one of the fox's cubs to her nest, thinking that her lofty dwelling would protect her from the fox's revenge. She-was about to divide the cub among her brood, when the fox returned home and pleaded fervently for the return of her young cub. Since her entreaties were in vain, she ran to an altar in a neighboring field and snatched a torch from the fire that had been lit to sacrifice a goat. Then she returned to the tree and set it on fire. The flames and smoke soon caused the eagle to worry about her young ones and her own life as well, and she returned the cub safe and sound to his mother.
The tyrant is never safe from those whom he oppresses.