A most wonderful example of cognitive dissonance theory of psychology, written in such a delightful fable by La Fontaine.

Rosy and ripe, and ready to box,

The grapes hang high o’er the hungry Fox

He pricks up his ears, and his eye he cocks.

Ripe and rosy, yet so high!

He gazes at them with a greedy eye,

And he knows he must eat and drink or die.

When the jump proves to be beyond his power

“Pooh!” says the Fox. “Let the pigs devour

Fruit of that sort. Those grapes are sour!”

Translated by: William Trowbridge Larned