"The Fox and the Grapes" by William Ellery Leonard

According to British Labour Party politician Neil Kinnock, "The unforgivable political sin is vanity; the killer diet is sour grapes."


THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
A fable adapted by William Ellery Leonard
from "The Fox and the Grapes" by Aesop

A famished Fox did chance to spy
Some ripe grape clusters hanging high.
She leapt, she pawed the tree, she screeched,
But not a single grape she reached.
She turned away and said, "I guess
They're after all a sour mess."

When things go wrong, O Fox or Man,
Philosophize the best you can.


Source: Aesop and Hyssop (1912) by William Ellery Leonard