The Eagle and His Captor

Summary

This story presents a moral lesson about gratitude and trust, seen through the experience of an eagle. Initially, the eagle is captured and harmed by a man who clips its wings, confining it among domestic birds. Eventually, another person buys the eagle, nurtures it back to health, and allows it to recover its ability to fly. The grateful eagle, recognizing this kindness, brings a hare to his benefactor as an offering. However, a fox advises the eagle to remember past mistreatment and be cautious, as the initial captor might seek to harm it again. This tale highlights themes of loyalty, showing appreciation to those who show kindness, and being aware of past experiences when choosing whom to trust.

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An Eagle was once captured by a man, who immediately clipped his wings and put him into his poultry-yard with the other birds, at which treatment the Eagle was weighed down with grief. Later, another neighbor purchased him and allowed his feathers to grow again. The Eagle took flight, and pouncing upon a hare, brought it at once as an offering to his benefactor. A Fox, seeing this, exclaimed, “Do not cultivate the favor of this man, but of your former owner, lest he should again hunt for you and deprive you a second time of your wings.”