Once there were two birds, a woodcock and a mallard. They were feeding at the edge of a pond. Many insects lived there. The insects were sad as they knew their end had come. Now, the woodcock was choosy about his food. He liked only a few things and ate only the best. The mallard, on the other hand, ate whatever he could find. Seeing the mallard eating anything, the woodcock remarked, “What a greedy eater you are! Anything and everything is food for you!” The angry mallard replied, “You criticise my eating habits; I criticise your fussy nature! Your eating habits are silly! I would rather be greedy than fussy!” Saying so, the angry woodcock flew away. The mallard also flew away after a while. The insects heaved a sigh of relief as the fighting between the birds had saved their skin.
The Silly Argument
