a crow having found a mussel on the seashore; took it in his beak and tried for a long time to break the shell by hammering it upon a stone.

another crow—a sly old fellow—came and watched him for some time in silence.

"friend," said he at last, "you'll never break it in that way. listen to me. this is the way to do it: fly up as high as you can, and let the tiresome thing fall upon a rock. it will be smashed then sure enough, and you can eat it at your leisure."

the simple-minded and unsuspecting crow did as he was told, flew up and let the mussel fall.

before he could descend to eat it, however, the other bird had pounced upon it and carried it away.