A Serpent had succeeded in surprising an Eagle and had wrapped himself around the Eagle's neck. Do not worry about us, replied the Reeds. Such scanty fare is not fit for a Heron. So he put on a pair of spectacles, and with a leather box in his hand, knocked at the door of the Bird's home. The horses could hardly drag the load through the deep mud, and at last came to a standstill when one of the wheels sank to the hub in a rut. Look at my ribs. I am nothing but skin and bone. But let me tell you something in private. The Snakes soon wished they had not given him permission to stay. How dare you paddle around in my stream and stir up all the mud!, he shouted fiercely. Out popped the old Owl's head from the opening in the tree that served her both for door and for window. Shortly afterward, refreshments, consisting mostly of Camel's hump and ribs, were served to the company.
The loud-mouthed boaster does not impress nor frighten those who know him.