a troublesome crow seated herself on the back of a sheep. the sheep, much against his will, carried her backward and forward for a long time, and at last said, “if you had treated a dog in this way, you would have had your deserts from his sharp teeth.” to this the crow replied, “i despise the weak and yield to the strong. i know whom i may bully and whom i must flatter; and i thus prolong my life to a good old age.”