The Eagle and the Owl, after many quarrels, swore that they would be
fast friends forever, and that they would never harm each other's
children.
"But do you know my little ones?" said the Owl. "If you do not, I fear
it will go hard with them when you find them."
"Nay, then, I do not," replied the Eagle.
"The greater your loss," said the Owl; "They are the sweetest prettiest
things in the world. Such bright eyes! such charming plumage! such
winning little ways! You'll know them now from my description."
A short time after the Eagle found the owlets in a hollow tree.
"These hideous little staring frights, at any rate, cannot be neighbour
Owl's delicious pets," said the Eagle; "so I may make away with them
without the least misgiving."
The Owl, finding her young ones gone, loaded the Eagle with reproaches.
"Nay," answered the Eagle, "blame yourself rather than me. If you
paint with such flattering colours, it is not my fault if I do not
recognize your portraits."