Aesop's Fables
AN
OWL, accustomed to
feed at
night and to
sleep during the
day, was greatly disturbed by the noise of a
Grasshopper and earnestly besought her to stop
chirping. The Grasshopper refused to desist, and chirped louder and louder the more the Owl
entreated. When she saw that she could get no
redress and that her words were despised, the Owl attacked the
chatterer by a
stratagem. "Since I cannot sleep," she said, "on account of your song which, believe me, is sweet as the
lyre of Apollo, I shall
indulge myself in drinking some
nectar which
Pallas lately gave me. If you do not dislike it, come to me and we will drink it together." The Grasshopper, who was
thirsty, and pleased with the praise of her voice,
eagerly flew up. The Owl came forth from her hollow, seized her, and put her to
death.