He sat on the edge of his nest , his head drooping and his feathers all ruffled , looking the picture of misery . Indeed he was so different from the gay , jaunty magpie whom every creature in the forest knew , that a crow who was flying past , stopped to inquire what was the matter . ` Where are the two young ones who are not in the nest ? ' asked he . ' I had to give them to the fox , ' replied the magpie in a quivering voice ; ` he has been here twice in the last week , and wanted to cut down my tree for the purpose of making snow-shoes out of it , and the only way I could buy him off was by giving him two of my young ones . ' Oh , you fool , ' cried the crow , ` the fox was only trying to frighten you . He could not have cut down the tree , for he has neither axe nor knife . Dear me , to think that you have sacrificed your young ones for nothing ! Dear , dear ! how could you be so very foolish ! ' And the crow flew away , leaving the magpie overcome with shame and sorrow . The next morning the fox came to his usual place in front of the tree , for he was hungry , and a nice young magpie would have suited him very well for dinner . But this time there was no cowering , timid magpie to do his bidding , but a bird with his head erect and a determined voice . ` My good fox , ' said the magpie putting his head on one side and looking very wise -- ` my good fox , if you take my advice , you will go home as fast as you can . There is no use your talking about making snow-shoes out of this tree , when you have neither knife nor axe to cut it down with ! ' ` Who has been teaching you wisdom ? ' asked the fox , forgetting his manners in his surprise at this new turn of affairs . ` The crow , who paid me a visit yesterday , ' answered the magpie . ` The crow was it ? ' said the fox , ` well , the crow had better not meet me for the future , or it may be the worse for him . '
As Michael , the cunning beast , had no desire to continue the conversation , he left the forest ; but when he came XXXXX the high road he laid himself at full length on the ground , stretching himself out , just as if he was dead .
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