How the Crows and Owls Became Enemies

Long ago, the birds of the forest gathered to choose a king, and after much debate, most agreed the owl — dignified and solemn — should be crowned. Just as the ceremony was about to begin, a crow flew in and objected loudly.

"Look at his face," the crow said. "He looks perpetually angry, even when calm. Trust a bird like that with power over all of us, and see how quickly his true nature shows once he no longer needs our approval."

Swayed by doubt, the birds called off the coronation entirely and chose an eagle instead. The owl, humiliated in front of the whole gathering because of one crow's remark, flew off in cold fury, and from that day the owls and crows became bitter enemies — the owls hunting crows by night while they slept helplessly, and the crows mobbing owls by day whenever they were caught out in the light.