THE COCKERELS AND THE EAGLE

THE COCKERELS AND THE EAGLE  

Once upon a time, there were two cockerels who lived in the same farmyard. Each cockerel thought he was better than the other and should be master of the farmyard. They spent nearly every day arguing with each other. 

At last the cockerels decided that the only way to settle the matter was to have a fight. The winner would then be master of the farmyard. The morning of the fight came. As the other farm animals watched, the cockerels charged at each other, hitting out with their claws and pecking at each other mercilessly.

At last one of them was beaten. With his tail 

drooping and his feathers broken and bloodspattered, he crept off to a corner of the farmyard to nurse his wounds.

The other cockerel was filled with pride at his victory. Puffing out his feathers, he flew to the top of the fence and crowed triumphantly. 'Cock-adoodle-doo! Cock-a-doodle-doo!' he called, as loudly as he could.

The crowing caught the attention of an eagle who was hunting some distance away. 

'That sounds like a good, strong bird,' the eagle said to himself. 'I'll bet he's a tasty bird, too!"

The eagle flew straight to the farmyard, swooped down and caught the proud cockerel in his talons. The cockerel made an excellent dinner for the eagle.

With his rival gone, the first cockerel came out of his corner and took his place on top of the fence. No one could deny that he was now master of the farmyard! 

MORAL: Pride can lead to a downfall.