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 his claws became entangled in the ram’s fleece and he was not able to release himself, although he fluttered with his feathers as much as he could. The shepherd, seeing what had happened, ran up and caught him. He at once clipped the Jackdaw’s wings, and taking him home at night, gave him to his children. On their saying, “Father, what kind of bird is it?” he replied, “To my certain knowledge he is a Daw; but he would like you to think an Eagle.”
ワシが高い岩の上の止まり木から舞い降りて、子ヒツジをつかみ、かぎ爪にぶら下げて空高く運び去った。子ヒツジが捕らえられるのを見ていたコクマルガラスは、うらやましくてたまらなくなり、ワシの力強さと飛びっぷりをまねしてやろうと決めた。コクマルガラスは、ばさばさと大きな羽音をたてて飛び回り、大きな雄ヒツジの上に舞い降りて、それを運び去ろうとした。ところが、爪が雄ヒツジの毛にからまってしまい、どんなに羽をばたつかせても、はずすことができなかった。それを見た羊飼いは駆け寄ってきて、コクマルガラスを捕まえた。羊飼いはすぐにそのつばさを切り、夜、家へ連れて帰って子どもたちに与えた。子どもたちが「お父さん、これは何という鳥なの？」とたずねると、羊飼いは答えた。「たしかにこいつはコクマルガラスだよ。でも本人は、ワシだと思ってほしいらしいね。」