An Eagle sat high in the branches of a great Oak. She seemed very
sad and drooping for an Eagle. A Kite saw her.
"Why do you look so woebegone?" asked the Kite.
"I want to get married," replied the Eagle, "and I can't find a
mate who can provide for me as I should like."
"Take me," said the Kite; "I am very strong, stronger even than
you!"
"Do you really think you can provide for me?" asked the Eagle
eagerly.
"Why, of course," replied the Kite. "That would be a very simple
matter. I am so strong I can carry away an Ostrich in my talons
as if it were a feather!"
The Eagle accepted the Kite immediately. But after the wedding,
when the Kite flew away to find something to eat for his bride,
all he had when he returned, was a tiny Mouse.
"Is that the Ostrich you talked about?" said the Eagle in
disgust.
"To win you I would have said and promised anything," replied the
Kite.
_Everything is fair in love._
[Illustration]