The Deceitful Crow

A crow once visited the island of birds and longed to feast on the fledglings and eggs. He stood on one leg with his mouth open and declared that he was a holy being who lived on nothing else but wind. Believing the sly crow, the birds requested him to watch over their eggs and babies while they went to gather food. When the birds were gone, the crow went up to their nests and ate up most of the eggs and babies.

When the birds returned, they raised a hue and cry looking for their eggs and their young ones, without once suspecting the crow who they believed was a holy being. Day passed and one day the Bodhisattva, who was the king of the birds, secretly kept watch, and caught the crow red-handed and punished him.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!