The Fox And The Grapes

by Aesop

　　A Fox one day spied a beautiful bunch of ripe grapes hanging froma vine trained along the branches of a tree. The grapes seemedready to burst with juice, and the Fox's mouth watered as hegazed longingly at them.

　　The bunch hung from a high branch, and the Fox had to jump forit. The first time he jumped he missed it by a long way. So hewalked off a short distance and took a running leap at it, onlyto fall short once more. Again and again he tried, but in vain.

　　Now he sat down and looked at the grapes in disgust.

　　"What a fool I am," he said. "Here I am wearing myself out to geta bunch of sour grapes that are not worth gaping for."

　　And off he walked very, very scornfully.

　　There are many who pretend to despise and belittle that which isbeyond their reach.