It happened that a dog had got a piece of meat and wascarrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his wayhome he had to cross a plank1 lying across a running brook2. As hecrossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in thewater beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece ofmeat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap atthe shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece ofmeat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more. 
Beware lest you lose the substance by grasping at the shadow. 