A Rat was traveling along the King's highway. At nightfall the Cock, looking for a place to roost, as was his custom, spied nearby a hollow tree that he thought would do very nicely for a night's lodging. It was the right password, but when the Kid peeped through a crack in the door and saw the shadowy figure outside, he did not feel at all easy. Judging by its weight it must be full of gold. Such deceit was unpardonable, and Birds and Beasts made common cause to drive out the Bats. But in the midst of his song, his driver guessed what the Ass had got into his head, and began to beat him unmercifully with a stick. as far away from one another as they could get. My boy, said his mother, be satisfied with half the nuts you have taken and you will easily get your hand out. There was much fluttering and trying out of wings that afternoon, and at sunrise next day, when the Farmer and his son cut down the grain, they found an empty nest.
They who will not listen to reason but stubbornly go their own way against the friendly advice of those who are wiser than they, are on the road to misfortune.