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, because, besides, must, otherwise, ought, since, unless.
Archive
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 I. Dove. Kite.
2 Hand. Into. Trust.
3 Alert. Find. Why.
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.)
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding im-.
Statements, Questions and Commands Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in a sentence. Try to include at least one statement, one question and one command among your sentences. Note that some verbs make awkward or meaningless words of command, e.g. need, happen.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Hand. 2 Craft. 3 Turn. 4 Make. 5 Keep. 6 Trust. 7 Call. 8 Power. 9 Escape.
Variations: 1. use a minimum of seven words for each sentence 2. include negatives, e.g. isn’t, don’t, never 3. use the words ‘must’ to make commands 4. compose a short dialogue containing all three kinds of sentence: one statement, one question and one command
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 ()
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