A Mocking Bird was singing the songs of others who were curious about the Mocking Bird’s own song. As he has no song of his own he could not comply.
Do what you do best.
JBR Collection
There is a certain Bird in America which has the faculty of mimicking the notes of every other songster, without being able himself to add any original strains to the concert. As one of these Mocking Birds was displaying his talent of ridicule among the branches of a venerable wood, “‘Tis very well,” said a little warbler, speaking in the name of all the rest, “we grant you that our music is not without its faults; but why will you not favour us with a strain of your own?”
[Note: The mention of America clearly marks this fable as not being a translation of an original.]
