Krilof and His Fables/The Titmouse
The Titmouse.
A Titmouse made assault upon the sea, boasting that it would burn the sea up. Immediately there went abroad through all the world much talk about that. Fear seized upon the inhabitants of Neptune's metropolis. The birds flew in troops, and the beasts ran down together from the forests, to see in what manner the ocean would take fire, and whether it would burn furiously. It is even said, on the authority of the feathered tribe, that the human haunters of festal tables were among the first to appear on the shore, all provided with spoons, so as to enjoy so rich a fish soup as not even the most liberal of contractors had ever given to Government officials.
They swarm around. Each one marvels at the prodigy beforehand, and, in utter silence, fixing his eyes upon the sea, awaits the result. Only at times will one of them whisper, "There, it is going to boil! Look! it will begin to burn in a minute!"
Not a bit of it! the sea does not burn. But at all events doesn't it boil? It does not even boil. Well, then, how did these stupendous projects end? Why, the Titmouse had to fly away home in disgrace. The Titmouse had made a noise in the world, but it had not set the sea on fire.