Image size: 77cm x 23cm

The Eagle and the Jackdaw

An Eagle, flying down from his perch on a lofty rock, seized upon a lamb and carried him aloft in his talons.  A Jackdaw, who witnessed the capture of the lamb, was stirred with envy and determined to emulate the strength and flight of the Eagle.  He flew around with a great whir of his wings and settled upon a large ram, with the intention of carrying him off, but claws became entangled in the rams fleece and he was not able to release himself, although he fluttered with his feathers as much as he could.  The shepherd, seeing what happened, ran up and caught him.  He at once clipped the Jackdaws wings, and taking him home at night, gave him to his children.

When they asked, “What kind of bird is it father?”

He replied, “To my certain knowledge, he is a Daw, but he would like you to think him an Eagle.”

‘It requires more than wings to be an Eagle’