Crow, American 



Why the Crow is Black 



In the days when the crow was as white as a swan, he 

 could sing more sweetly than the nightingale. Now all 

 the crows are black because of a malicious crow who made 

 great mischief by telling tales. 



This crow, a beautiful snow-white bird, lived in a cage 

 in the house of his master Phoebus. Taught by Phoebus, 

 he could counterfeit the speech of any man, and he could 

 give an accurate account of anjiihing he chanced to see. 



Phoebus had a young wife whom he dearly loved. One 

 day he went on a long journey. While he was away the 

 crow carefully watched his mistress and listened to all 

 that was said, so that he might have a long story for the ears 

 of his master. Indeed such strange stories did he tell 

 about the wife, that Phoebus, who had a very hot temper, 

 became so angry that he seized his bow and arrow and 

 killed the poor woman. 



Immediately after doing this fearful deed, he began to 

 think how much he had always loved his wife, and, as he 

 wept over her, his rage turned against the crow. Spring- 

 ing to his feet he caught the gossiping bird by the neck 

 and shaking him until the snow-white feathers fell out, 

 he cried, '^O false thief, may you and your children for- 

 evermore be as black as the lies which you have told. 

 May you never, through all your life, speak again! 

 Instead of your sweet song, may you have naught but a 

 dismal croak, in token that wherever you may go, always 

 will follow the tempest and the rain!" 



Then from the shelter of his house Phoebus threw the 

 black crow out into the wide, wide world. 



Adapted from "Canterbury Tales." 

 62 



