“There’s no point talking sense to stupid people, Sir,” said Long-Bill. He said the birds were very angry and pecked at him for daring to criticise their king. The crane, however, defended his words in praise of his own king and his kingdom. The soldiers of Jewel Plume abused him. But still, the crane held on to his own opinion. The King laughed at him. “Didn’t you realise your strength, and the strength of the soldiers who surrounded you?” asked the king. “You must take care to examine your own strength and weakness and compare them to those of your enemies before you confront them.” “Why do you say that, Sir?” asked Long-Bill. “If you don’t do that, you will end up like the donkey in the tiger’s skin!” said the King. And he began to tell him the story.
Long-Bill Has an Argument
