What quality of the Raven’s character made him open his mouth to sing?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The Raven’s pride made him open his mouth to sing.
Explanation (300 words):
In many traditional tales and fables, animals are often given human traits to convey moral lessons. The story involving the raven is no different. This particular tale likely refers to a famous fable, such as “The Fox and the Crow” (also called “The Raven” in some versions), attributed to Aesop.
In this fable, the raven finds a piece of cheese and perches high in a tree to enjoy it. A cunning fox sees the cheese and wants it for himself. Knowing he cannot climb the tree, the fox flatters the raven, praising its beauty and suggesting it must have a voice just as lovely. The raven, flattered and filled with pride, wants to prove the fox right. In a moment of vanity, the raven opens his mouth to sing. As a result, the cheese falls from his beak, and the clever fox grabs it and runs away.
The raven’s decision to sing wasn’t out of generosity, curiosity, or a love for music—it was rooted in pride. He allowed flattery to cloud his judgment. Instead of staying silent and enjoying his prize, he wanted to prove he was worthy of the fox’s praise.
This story teaches a valuable lesson about the dangers of vanity and the importance of humility. It shows how being too proud or easily influenced by praise can lead to foolish decisions and even loss. The raven’s pride made him open his mouth, and in doing so, he lost what he valued.
Thus, the quality that led the raven to sing was not wisdom or kindness—it was his pride, a character flaw that ultimately resulted in his being tricked. This moral continues to be a relevant reminder in both literature and life.