Ravens are supposed to be the most cunning and sagacious of birds. They
are knowing fellows, at all events.
Some schoolboys in Ireland used frequently to set traps for catching
birds. A tame raven belonging to their family frequently watched the
proceedings of the young gentlemen, and it occurred to him that he had
as much right to the birds as they had. When, therefore, they were out
of the way, he would fly down to the trap and lift the lid; but as he
could not hold it up and seize his prey at the same time, the bird
invariably escaped.
Not far off lived another tame raven, with which he was on visiting
acquaintance. After having vainly attempted on frequent occasions to
get the birds out of the trap by himself, he one day observed another
poor bird caught. Instead, however, of running the risk of opening the
trap as before, he hastened off to his acquaintance. The two ravens
then came back to the trap, and while one lifted the lid, the other
seized the poor captive. They then divided their prize between them.
When you see rogues like these two ravens agree, do you not feel ashamed
when you take so little pains to assist your companions in doing what is
right? We are placed in this world to help one another.