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21 the truthful hawk A COMMUNITY OF BEES were raided so often by the bear that they found another home for themselves, and they offered the hawk a reward to move their honey for them, provided he took an oath not to mention the new location to the bear. The hawk agreed: took the oath, made the transfer, and pocketed his reward. Later, the bear asked him where the bees had gone, but the hawk said, "I can't tell you. I took an oath not to mention the location of the new hive." But when the bear offered him a reward greater than the one the bees had given him, the hawk saw a way out of the dilemma, and he said, "I swore I would not mention the location [ 40 ] to you. That was the oath I took, and naturally I will not mention it." At that he rose from the ground and flew slowly away, looking back now and then to see that the bear was following him. When the bear knew the location of the new hive, he paid the reward he had offered the hawk for breaking his oath. "I did not break my oath," said the indignant hawk. "I observed my oath to the letter, and I defy anybody to prove differently." Liars often conform strictly to the truth. ...

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