A Nightingale, sitting upon an oak and singing according to his wont, was seen by a Hawk who was in a need of food, jumped down and caught him.
The Nightingale, about to lose his life, begged the Hawk to let him go, saying that he was not big enough to satisfy the hunger of a Hawk who, if he wanted food, ought to pursue the larger birds.
The Hawk, interrupting him, said: "I should
indeed have lost my senses if I should let go
food ready in my hand, for the sake of pursuing
birds which are not yet even within sight."