A Magpie sat chattering upon the back of a Sheep, and pulling off the
wool to line her nest. Peace, you noisy thing, says the Sheep: if I
were a dog, you durst not serve me so. That is true enough, replies
the Magpie, I know very well whom I have to deal with: I never meddle
with the surly and revengeful; but I love to plague such poor helpless
creatures as you are, who cannot do me any harm.