If he had eaten quietly what he had obtained; if he had not boasted of his good fortune, before he was completely in possession of it, he might have enjoyed it unmolested; but by proclaiming it he has stirred up rivals for the situation, with whom he will find it difficult to contend, and who may probably supplant him. The idea is taken from the fable of the stag who had escaped the hunters and eluded their search by concealing himself among the vines, but thinking himself safe, he began to browse upon the leaves; the hunters, led to the place by the noise and by the motion of the boughs, took and killed him. Or from the crow, who, overcome by the flattery of the fox, attempting to sing, let fall the cheese that he held in his mouth, which the fox seized upon and devoured. Can't you fare well, we say, without crying roast meat?