The Eagle and the Arrow

Summary

In this short moral tale, an Eagle, symbolizing strength and power, attempts to prey on a Hare, only to fall victim to an archer's skillfully aimed arrow. In an ironic twist, the Eagle realizes before his death that the arrow's feathers were made from his own plumage. This realization underscores a significant lesson about the consequences of one's actions—what one gives to the world can sometimes return in unexpected ways. The story also reflects on themes of vulnerability and the double-edged nature of power and pride, showcasing how a seemingly invincible figure can be brought low by their own unwitting contributions to their downfall. This narrative can be used to teach children and students about self-awareness, the cycle of actions and consequences, and the interconnectedness of life.

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An Eagle sat on a lofty rock, watching the movements of a Hare whom he sought to make his prey. An archer, who saw the Eagle from a place of concealment, took an accurate aim and wounded him mortally. The Eagle gave one look at the arrow that had entered his heart and saw in that single glance that its feathers had been furnished by himself. “It is a double grief to me,” he exclaimed, “that I should perish by an arrow feathered from my own wings.”