FABLE XXVI
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
It was a warm day. But it was still winter. The birds were happy. They wanted to build nests. Many birds came together. They looked for new friends. They wanted to make homes. They wanted to lay eggs.
A Wise Old Bird spoke. He was very old. He was very wise. He knew many things. "Be careful," he said. "Winter is not gone. Cold weather will come back. Do not build nests now." The birds heard him.
A Little Bird laughed. She was young. She was not wise. "No!" she said. "We want to make nests now. We want to be together. You are too old. You do not know." She did not listen.
Another Young Bird agreed. He liked the Little Bird. "Yes!" he said. "Let us make a nest. Let us be together now." They wanted to start.
Other young birds saw them. They liked the idea. They did not listen. They found friends too. They started to build nests. Many nests were built fast. All the young birds were happy.
But spring did not come. No green leaves came. The warm day was gone. The wind blew very hard. The wind was very cold. Rain fell from the sky. Then white snow fell. It was a bad winter day. The weather changed fast.
The trees had no leaves. They gave no cover. The wind blew through them. The birds were cold. Their nests got wet. Their nests got cold. The eggs got cold. The eggs could not hatch. The eggs were not good.
The birds were not happy. They were very sad. They were cold. They were wet. They fought with each other. They did not like each other. They flew away from each other. They left their nests. They were sad they did not listen.
The birds were sad. They learned a lesson. They learned it the hard way. They were not wise. They did not listen. It is good to listen. It is good to listen to old friends. Old friends are wise. They know many things. Always listen to good advice. It helps you.
Original Story
FABLE XXVI.
THE OLD BULLFINCH AND YOUNG BIRDS.
It chanced, that, on a winter's day,
But warm and bright, and calm as May,
The birds, conceiving a design
To forestall sweet St. Valentine,
In many an orchard, copse, and grove,
Assembled on affairs of love;
And with much twitter and much chatter,
Began to agitate the matter.
At length, a Bullfinch, who could boast
More years and wisdom than the most,
Entreated, opening wide his beak,
A moment's liberty to speak;
And, silence publicly enjoined,
Delivered briefly thus his mind:
"My friends, be cautious how ye treat
The subject upon which we meet;
I fear we shall have winter yet."
A Finch, whose tongue knew no control,
With golden wing, and satin poll,
A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried
What marriage means, thus pert replied:
"Methinks, the gentleman," quoth she,
"Opposite, in the apple-tree,
By his good will, would keep us single,
'Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle;
Or (which is likelier to befall)
'Till death exterminate us all.
I marry without more ado;
My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?"
Dick heard; and tweedling, ogling, bridling,
Turning short round, strutting, and sidling,
Attested glad his approbation
Of an immediate conjugation.
Their sentiments so well express'd,
Influenced mightily the rest;
All pair'd, and each pair built a nest.
But though the birds were thus in haste,
The leaves came on not quite so fast;
And destiny, that sometimes bears
An aspect stern on man's affairs,
Not altogether smil'd on theirs.
The wind, that late breath'd gently forth,
Now shifted east, and east by north;
Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,
Could shelter them from rain or snow;
Stepping into their nests, they paddled,
Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled;
Soon every father bird, and mother,
Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other;
Parted without the least regret,
Except that they had ever met;
And learn'd in future to be wiser
Than to neglect a good adviser.
MORAL.
Young folks, who think themselves so wise,
That old folks' counsel they despise,
Will find, when they too late repent,
Their folly prove their punishment.
Story DNA
Moral
Young people who disregard the advice of their elders will often regret their foolishness when it's too late.
Plot Summary
On a deceptively warm winter day, young birds eagerly gather to pair up and build nests, anticipating spring. An old, wise Bullfinch warns them to be cautious, fearing winter is not truly over. However, a young, impetuous Finch dismisses his advice, and her enthusiasm sways all the other young birds to hastily marry and nest. Soon after, the weather turns harsh with rain and snow, ruining their nests and addling their eggs. The birds become quarrelsome, separate with regret, and learn a bitter lesson about the consequences of ignoring good counsel.
Themes
Emotional Arc
optimism to regret
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect societal values and common wisdom, using animal characters to make moral points accessible.
Plot Beats (9)
- On a warm, bright winter day, birds gather to find mates and begin nesting early.
- An old, wise Bullfinch advises caution, warning that winter is not truly over.
- A young, impetuous Finch scoffs at the Bullfinch's advice, suggesting he wants to keep them single forever.
- Her chosen mate, Dick Redcap, enthusiastically agrees with her, and they decide to marry immediately.
- Their hasty decision influences all the other young birds, who quickly pair up and build nests.
- Despite the birds' haste, spring leaves do not appear, and the weather suddenly shifts to harsh winds, rain, and snow.
- The bare trees offer no shelter, the birds' nests are soaked, and their eggs are addled.
- The parent birds become irritable, quarrel with each other, and separate, regretting their hasty unions.
- They learn a hard lesson about the consequences of ignoring wise counsel.
Characters
The Old Bullfinch
A robust, mature bullfinch, slightly larger than the younger birds, with a sturdy build indicative of age. His feathers are likely a bit duller from years of exposure, but still well-maintained. His posture is steady and deliberate.
Attire: Natural bullfinch plumage: a deep, rosy red breast and underparts, a grey back, and black wings and tail. His head is capped with black feathers.
Wants: To impart valuable wisdom and prevent the younger birds from making rash decisions based on superficial observations.
Flaw: His wisdom is not always heeded by the impetuous youth, making him somewhat ineffective in preventing their folly.
Remains consistent as the voice of reason, his advice ultimately proven correct, though ignored at first.
Cautious, wise, experienced, observant, patient.
The Finch
A slender and lively finch, with a vibrant, energetic presence. Her movements are quick and often exaggerated, reflecting her impulsive nature.
Attire: Natural finch plumage: described with 'golden wing' and 'satin poll,' suggesting bright, perhaps yellowish or golden feathers on her wings and a very smooth, dark or glossy cap of feathers on her head. Her overall plumage is likely vibrant and well-kept, indicative of a young, healthy bird.
Wants: To marry and experience life without delay, rejecting what she perceives as overly cautious advice.
Flaw: Her impulsiveness and disdain for wisdom lead her to make a poor decision, resulting in suffering.
Starts as a defiant and confident young bird, but ends up quarrelsome and regretful due to her poor choices.
Impulsive, defiant, outspoken, overconfident, quick-witted (though misguided).
Dick Redcap
A lively and somewhat vain young bird, likely of a similar species to the Finch, but with a distinctive red cap. His movements are showy and attention-seeking.
Attire: Natural bird plumage, with a distinctive 'redcap' of bright red feathers on his head. His other feathers are likely vibrant and well-maintained, reflecting his youth and desire to impress.
Wants: To impress the Finch and immediately enter into marriage, driven by youthful ardor and a lack of foresight.
Flaw: His vanity and eagerness to agree with the Finch lead him to ignore wise counsel and suffer the consequences.
Starts as an eager suitor, but ends up quarrelsome and regretful after the harsh winter.
Vain, easily influenced, eager to please, impulsive, showy.
Locations
Orchard, Copse, and Grove
A collection of fruit orchards, small thickets of trees (copses), and larger wooded areas (groves), all bare of leaves due to winter, but bathed in a surprisingly warm, bright, and calm sunlight, feeling like May.
Mood: Initially hopeful and joyful, filled with the excited chatter of birds, later turning bleak and harsh.
The birds gather to discuss mating and nesting, and the old Bullfinch gives his warning. Later, the young birds build their nests here.
Apple-Tree Branch
A specific branch within an apple tree, bare of leaves, where the young Finch and Dick Redcap perch and interact, directly opposite the old Bullfinch.
Mood: Initially defiant and flirtatious, then exposed and miserable.
The young Finch defiantly replies to the Bullfinch and proposes to Dick Redcap. Later, their ill-prepared nest on this branch is exposed to harsh weather.