Introduction
This little Fable should hardly require explanation, yet the lesson it teaches is repeatedly forgotten. When we are bullied and badgered, it is easy to appease our tormentor in the hope that ready compliance will be rewarded with peace; but bullies don’t stop bullying, it’s what they do.
SOME Pigeons had long lived in fear of a Kite, but by being always alert, and keeping near their dove-cote, they had contrived hitherto to escape the attacks of the enemy. Finding his sallies unsuccessful, the Kite betook himself to craft: “Why,” said he, “do you prefer this life of continual anxiety, when, if you would only make me your king, I would secure you from every attack that could be made upon you?” The Pigeons, trusting to his professions, called him to the throne; but no sooner was he established there than he exercised his prerogative by devouring a pigeon a-day. Whereupon one that yet awaited his turn, said no more than “It serves us right.”
They who voluntarily put power into the hand of a tyrant or an enemy, must not wonder if it be at last turned against themselves.*
* See also Adam Smith on Fit and Proper Persons.
Précis
A fable tells of some pigeons who were so fearful of attack that they agreed to take a kite as their king, to defend the dovecote from predators. To one pigeon at least it came as no surprise that once the kite was snugly installed, he duly saw off his rivals — and took one pigeon daily for his trouble. (59 / 60 words)
A fable tells of some pigeons who were so fearful of attack that they agreed to take a kite as their king, to defend the dovecote from predators. To one pigeon at least it came as no surprise that once the kite was snugly installed, he duly saw off his rivals — and took one pigeon daily for his trouble.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, although, because, besides, must, not, or, whereas.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Last. Life. Why.
2 Cote. Establish. Pigeon.
3 No. One. Upon.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Continual. 2 Lifeless. 3 Voluntary. 4 Lasting. 5 Longest. 6 Powerful. 7 Near. 8 Established. 9 Long.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Last. 2. Long. 3. Right. 4. Live. 5. Serve. 6. Keep. 7. Found.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
