FABLE LXVII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
One day, a Wise Swallow saw a farmer. The farmer was in his field. He planted many small seeds. The Wise Swallow watched him. He saw what the farmer did. The farmer put seeds in the ground.
The Wise Swallow called the Young Birds. He told them about the small seeds. These seeds were not good for birds. They grow into tall, strong plants. People make nets from these plants. Nets catch birds. Nets catch you. Eat the seeds now, he said. Eat all the seeds, please. This will keep you very safe.
The Young Birds did not listen. They played and sang happy songs. They liked their fun life. They did not eat the seeds. They did not care about nets. They thought they were safe.
Time passed. The seeds grew. Small green plants came up from the ground. The Wise Swallow saw them. He called the Young Birds again. He said, 'Pull up these plants!' They are still small now. Pull them up with your strong beaks. Soon they will be too big. Then people will make nets.
The Young Birds did not listen. They played in the field. They sang their happy songs. They did not pull up plants. They did not care again. They thought they were fine.
The Wise Swallow felt sad. The Young Birds never listen. He knew they would not change. He flew away from the field. He went to a big city. He built his home there. He was safe in the city.
One day, the Wise Swallow flew. He flew over the streets. He saw a man walk by. The man carried a big cage. Inside the cage were many birds. They were the Young Birds. They looked very sad now. They were caught in the nets. They were trapped in the cage.
The Wise Swallow felt sad. He saw the birds' pain. They did not listen before. They did not take advice. Now they are in trouble. It is good to listen. Listen to wise friends. Always think about tomorrow.
Original Story
FABLE LXVII.
THE OLD SWALLOWS AND THE YOUNG BIRDS.
A Swallow, observing a husbandman employed in sowing hemp, called the little Birds together, and informed them what the farmer was about. He told them that hemp was the material from which the nets, so fatal to the feathered race, were composed; and advised them unanimously to join in picking it up, in order to prevent the consequences.
The Birds, either disbelieving his information, or neglecting his advice, gave themselves no trouble about the matter. In a little time, the hemp appeared above the ground. The friendly Swallow again addressed himself to them—told them it was not yet too late, provided they would immediately set about the work, before the seeds had taken too deep root. But, they still rejecting his advice, he forsook their society; repaired, for safety, to towns and cities; there built his habitation, and kept his residence.
One day, as he was skimming along the streets, he happened to see a great number of these very Birds, imprisoned in a cage, on the shoulders of a bird-catcher. "Unhappy wretches!" said he, "you now feel the punishment of your former neglect. But those who, having no foresight of their own, despise the wholesome admonition of their friends, deserve the mischiefs which their own obstinacy or negligence bring upon their heads."
MORAL.
This Fable teaches thoughtless youth
A most important moral truth:—
The seeds, which proved the young birds' ruin,
Are emblems of their own undoing,
Should they neglect, while yet 'tis time,
To pluck the early shoots of crime;
Or, in their own opinions wise,
The counsel of their friends despise.
For evil habits, left to grow,
Are ever sure to lead to woe;
But checked in time with vigorous hand,
Will bend to virtue's firm command.
Story DNA
Moral
Those who ignore wise counsel and fail to act with foresight will suffer the consequences of their own negligence.
Plot Summary
A wise Swallow warns a group of young birds about a farmer sowing hemp, explaining it will be used for nets. The birds ignore his advice to pick up the seeds. When the hemp sprouts, the Swallow warns them again to uproot it, but they again refuse. The Swallow, seeing their obstinacy, leaves for the safety of the city. Later, he sees the very birds he tried to help imprisoned in a cage, lamenting that their suffering is a direct result of their own negligence and refusal to heed good counsel.
Themes
Emotional Arc
indifference to regret
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect agricultural societies where the dangers of human activities (like farming for materials) were understood by animals.
Plot Beats (8)
- A Swallow sees a farmer sowing hemp seeds.
- The Swallow gathers other birds and warns them that hemp is used for nets, advising them to eat the seeds.
- The young birds disregard the Swallow's warning and do nothing.
- The hemp sprouts, and the Swallow issues a second warning, urging them to pull up the young plants.
- The birds again ignore the Swallow's advice.
- The Swallow, realizing the birds are beyond help, leaves their society and moves to a city for safety.
- Later, the Swallow sees many of the same birds captured in a cage, carried by a bird-catcher.
- The Swallow laments their fate, stating they are suffering due to their own past neglect and refusal to heed good counsel.
Characters
The Old Swallow
A slender, agile bird, about 7 inches long, with a deeply forked tail and long, pointed wings. Its body is streamlined for swift flight.
Attire: Natural plumage, as described. No artificial clothing.
Wants: To ensure its own survival and to warn its fellow birds of impending danger, driven by foresight and experience.
Flaw: Its inability to convince others of the danger, leading to a sense of resignation and eventual self-preservation over community.
Starts as a community-minded advisor, becomes disillusioned by the negligence of others, and ultimately becomes a solitary survivor, observing the consequences of others' folly from a safe distance.
Wise, observant, cautious, responsible, and a bit of a Cassandra figure. It tries to warn others but eventually prioritizes its own safety.
The Little Birds
A diverse group of small, common songbirds, likely sparrows, finches, or similar species, generally plump and active, ranging from 4-6 inches in length.
Attire: Natural plumage, as described. No artificial clothing.
Wants: To live freely and without worry, avoiding effort or unpleasant tasks. They are driven by a lack of foresight.
Flaw: Their collective negligence, obstinacy, and inability to heed wise counsel, leading directly to their capture.
They begin as free, heedless creatures, ignore warnings, and end up imprisoned, suffering the direct consequences of their inaction.
Thoughtless, negligent, disbelieving, obstinate, and easily distracted. They prioritize immediate comfort over long-term safety.
The Husbandman
A sturdy, weathered man of average height and build, with hands calloused from manual labor. His skin is tanned from working outdoors.
Attire: Simple, durable peasant clothing typical of a European farmer from an unspecified historical period (e.g., 17th-19th century). This would include a coarse linen or wool tunic, sturdy breeches or trousers, and practical leather boots. Earth-toned colors like browns, greys, and muted greens.
Wants: To cultivate his land and harvest crops, ensuring his livelihood.
Flaw: Unaware of the broader ecological impact of his actions from the perspective of other creatures.
Remains unchanged; he is a force of nature (from the birds' perspective) rather than a character with an arc.
Diligent, practical, and focused on his work. He is unaware of the birds' concerns and acts purely out of human self-interest.
The Bird-Catcher
A man of indeterminate age and build, whose appearance is secondary to his function. He is likely unremarkable, blending into the background of a town or city.
Attire: Simple, functional clothing suitable for walking through streets and carrying cages. Likely drab, practical garments such as a coarse wool jacket, trousers, and sturdy shoes, in muted tones.
Wants: To catch birds for sale, earning a living.
Flaw: None specified; he is a functional character.
Remains unchanged; he is a symbol of the consequence of the birds' negligence.
Opportunistic and practical, focused on his livelihood. He is indifferent to the plight of the birds, seeing them as merchandise.
Locations
Husbandman's Field
An open agricultural field, recently tilled, where a husbandman is sowing hemp seeds. Later, young hemp shoots emerge from the ground.
Mood: initially peaceful, later foreboding
The Swallow warns the small birds about the danger of the hemp seeds being sown, and later about the growing shoots.
Town/City Rooftops and Streets
The urban environment where the Swallow builds its nest and resides, characterized by buildings, rooftops, and bustling streets below.
Mood: safe, busy, observant
The Swallow finds refuge here and later observes the captured birds, realizing the consequences of their negligence.
Bird-catcher's Shoulder/Street
A specific moment on a city street where a bird-catcher carries a cage full of captured birds.
Mood: somber, regretful
The Swallow sees the captured birds, confirming his earlier warnings and reflecting on their fate.