When fledgling crows reach a certain age, their fellow crows question them to determine whether or not they are worthy to join the flock.

On a day when three fledglings were to receive their examination, the leader of the flock perched before the first. "Tell me," he asked, "what is the most fearsome thing in all the world?"

Almost immediately, the young crow answered "An arrow," to the approval of the surrounding crows.

The leader flew on to the next fledgling, perched in a different tree, and repeated his question.

This time, the fledgling paused for a moment in thought. "A skillful archer," he said. "For, while it is the arrow which injures or kills, it is the archer who chooses his target."

The leader nodded in approval; the surrounding crows cawed their acceptance.

The leader moved on to the final fledgling, and again repeated his question.

After an even longer, more thoughtful pause, the third fledgling replied: "I fear the unskilled archer."

The nearby crows looked puzzled. "Why do you choose such an answer?" asked the leader.

"Because a skilled archer will aim truly. By flying just a little to the right or left, one can avoid the arrow. But there is no way to predict where the arrow of the unskilled archer will fly."

The flock loudly cawed its approval, and the leader flew dejectedly away. He knew that his days as leader were numbered: the flock already recognized the wisdom of this young fledgling.

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