The Cat and the Birds

Summary

This short fable tells the story of a cunning Cat who disguises himself as a doctor to deceive the Birds living in an aviary. The Cat pretends to offer his medical services, hoping to take advantage of their ailment. However, the Birds recognize his deceitful plan and wisely refuse his assistance, insisting they are perfectly fine without his intervention. The tale highlights themes of cunning deceit, the importance of awareness, and the need to be cautious of false appearances that conceal underlying intentions. It serves as a moral lesson emphasizing vigilance against those who seek to exploit vulnerabilities.

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A Cat, hearing that the Birds in a certain aviary were ailing dressed himself up as a physician, and, taking his cane and a bag of instruments becoming his profession, went to call on them. He knocked at the door and inquired of the inmates how they all did, saying that if they were ill, he would be happy to prescribe for them and cure them. They replied, “We are all very well, and shall continue so, if you will only be good enough to go away, and leave us as we are.”