A Farmer placed nets on his newly-sown plowlands and caught a number
of Cranes, which came to pick up his seed. With them he trapped a Stork
that had fractured his leg in the net and was earnestly beseeching the Farmer
to spare his life. “Pray save me, Master,” he said, “and let me go free this
once. My broken limb should excite your pity. Besides, I am no Crane, I
am a Stork, a bird of excellent character; and see how I love and slave for
my father and mother. Look too, at my feathers-- they are not the least like
those of a Crane.” The Farmer laughed aloud and said, “It may be all as you
say, I only know this: I have taken you with these robbers, the Cranes, and
you must die in their company.”
