FABLE XXXI
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
A Mother Lark lived in a big cornfield. The field was her home. She had small, soft babies. Her babies lived in a nest. The corn grew tall and yellow. Soon, it would be cut. It was almost time.
The Mother Lark felt fear. The farmer would come. He would cut the tall corn. Her babies were too small. They could not fly away. She told them: "Listen well!" Then she flew to find food.
The Young Larks listened closely. They heard the farmer's voice. He spoke to his son. His son's name was George. The farmer said: "Our friends will help. They will cut the corn tomorrow."
The young larks flew to their mother. They told her the news. They felt very scared. Their mother was not worried. She knew about friends. She said: "Friends often do not come. Do not be afraid."
The sun rose the next day. No friends came to the field. The corn stood tall. No one came to cut it. The Mother Lark was right.
The young larks listened once more. They heard the farmer speak. He spoke to George again. The farmer said: "Our family will help us. They will cut the corn. They would come tomorrow."
The young larks flew to their mother. They told her the new words. They were still very scared. Their mother stayed calm. She knew about family. She said: "Family won't come. Do not fear."
The sun rose once more. No family came to the field. The corn stood tall. No one came to cut it. The Mother Lark was right again.
The young larks listened again. They heard the farmer's voice. He spoke to George. The farmer was angry. He said: "Get tools! We cut corn tomorrow! We will do it ourselves!"
The young larks told their mother. Now, she was truly worried! Her face looked scared. She knew this was true. She said: "Go now, children! He will do it!"
The Mother Lark moved her babies fast. They flew from the nest. They flew to a new home. It was a safe place to live.
The next day, the farmer came. George came with him. They brought their sharp tools. They cut all the corn. The larks were safe. Their new home was good.
The Mother Lark was very wise. The Farmer learned a lesson. He did the work himself. This story tells us: Do your own work.
Original Story
FABLE XXXI.
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.
A Lark, who had young ones in a field of corn almost ripe, was under some fear lest the reapers should come to reap it before her young brood was fledged and able to remove from that place. She, therefore, upon flying abroad to look for food, left this charge with them—to take notice what they heard talked of in her absence, and tell her of it when she came back again.
When she was gone, they heard the owner of the corn call to his son: "Well," says he, "I think this corn is ripe enough. I would have you go early to-morrow, and desire our friends and neighbours to come and help us to reap it." When the old Lark came home, the young ones fell a quivering and chirping round her, and told her what had happened, begging her to remove them as fast as she could. The mother bid them be easy: "For," said she, "if the owner depends on his friends and neighbours, I am pretty sure the corn will not be reaped to-morrow."
Next day, she went out again, leaving the same orders as before. The owner came, and staid, expecting his friends; but the sun grew hot, and nothing was done, for not a soul came to help them. Then says he to his son, "I perceive these friends of ours are not to be depended upon; so you must go to your uncles and cousins, and tell them I desire they would be here betimes to-morrow morning, to help us to reap." Well, this the young ones, in a great fright, reported also to their mother. "If that be all," says she, "do not be frightened, dear children; for kindred and relations are not so very forward to serve one another; but take particular notice what you hear said next time, and be sure you let me know it."
She went abroad next day, as usual; and the owner, finding his relations as slack as the rest of his neighbours, said to his son, "Harkee, George; get a couple of good sickles ready against to-morrow morning, and we will even reap the corn ourselves." When the young ones told their mother this, "Then," said she, "we must be gone indeed; for, when a man undertakes to do his business himself, it is not so likely he will be disappointed." So she removed her young ones at once, and the corn was reaped next day by the good man and his son.
MORAL.
Never depend on the assistance of others. No business is so sure to be done as that which a man sets about doing himself.
Story DNA
Moral
Never depend on the assistance of others; the most reliable way to get things done is to do them yourself.
Plot Summary
A mother Lark and her young live in a ripe cornfield, fearing the harvest. She instructs her young to report what they hear. They repeatedly tell her the owner plans to ask friends and then relatives for help, but the mother remains calm, knowing others are unreliable. Finally, when the young report the owner's decision to reap the corn himself, the wise mother immediately moves her brood, understanding that self-reliance ensures action. The corn is reaped the next day, proving her wisdom.
Themes
Emotional Arc
anxiety to relief
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect common wisdom and social dynamics of pre-industrial agrarian societies where communal labor was common but not always reliable.
Plot Beats (12)
- A mother Lark and her unfledged young live in a cornfield that is almost ripe for harvest.
- The mother Lark, fearing the reapers, instructs her young to listen for news of the harvest while she is out foraging.
- The young larks overhear the owner telling his son to ask friends and neighbors to help reap the corn the next day.
- The young larks report this to their mother, who reassures them that if the owner depends on friends, the corn won't be reaped tomorrow.
- The next day, no friends or neighbors arrive to help, confirming the mother Lark's prediction.
- The young larks overhear the owner telling his son to ask uncles and cousins for help the following day.
- The young larks report this, and the mother Lark again reassures them, stating that relatives are also unreliable.
- The next day, no relatives arrive to help, again confirming the mother Lark's prediction.
- The young larks overhear the owner telling his son to get sickles ready, as they will reap the corn themselves the next day.
- Upon hearing this, the mother Lark declares that they must leave immediately, as a man doing the work himself is reliable.
- The mother Lark removes her young ones from the field.
- The corn is reaped the very next day by the owner and his son.
Characters
The Mother Lark
A small, agile bird, about 6-7 inches tall, with a slender build and strong, pointed wings. Her plumage is a mottled brown and streaky beige, providing excellent camouflage against the dry stalks of a cornfield. Her legs are thin and scaled, ending in delicate claws.
Attire: Natural plumage of mottled brown and streaky beige feathers, with a slightly lighter underside. Her crest feathers are a slightly darker brown.
Wants: To ensure the safety and survival of her young ones.
Flaw: Her reliance on her young ones to report information accurately, though she interprets it with her own wisdom.
She begins the story with a general fear for her nest and through careful observation and interpretation of human behavior, she learns precisely when to act, confirming her wisdom.
Wise, cautious, observant, pragmatic, and deeply protective of her young.
The Young Larks
Small, downy nestlings, about 2-3 inches tall, with underdeveloped wings and legs. Their bodies are covered in soft, sparse down feathers, mostly light grey or beige, with patches of bare pink skin visible. They are fragile and unable to fly.
Attire: Soft, light grey and beige down feathers, with visible pink skin.
Wants: To survive and escape the perceived danger of the harvest.
Flaw: Their immaturity and inability to fly or discern true threats from idle talk.
They remain consistently fearful and dependent, serving as the impetus for their mother's actions.
Fearful, easily panicked, dependent, and obedient to their mother.
The Farmer
A sturdy, weathered man of average height, with a strong build from years of manual labor. His hands are calloused and his skin is tanned from working outdoors. He moves with a practical, no-nonsense stride.
Attire: Simple, functional peasant clothing: a coarse linen tunic or shirt in a muted earth tone (e.g., undyed cream or light brown), sturdy wool breeches, and practical leather boots. He might wear a wide-brimmed straw hat to protect from the sun.
Wants: To harvest his ripe corn and secure his livelihood.
Flaw: Initially, his over-reliance on the promises of others (friends, family).
He begins by seeking help from others but learns through their inaction that he must depend on himself, leading to a decisive change in his approach.
Practical, initially reliant on others, ultimately self-sufficient, realistic, and decisive.
George
A younger, less weathered version of his father, with a lean but developing build. He is likely tall and still growing, with the beginnings of his father's strength.
Attire: Similar to his father's but perhaps slightly less worn: a simple, lighter-colored linen shirt, practical trousers, and sturdy leather shoes or boots. He might also wear a simple cap.
Wants: To assist his father and fulfill his duties.
Flaw: His inexperience and dependence on his father's instructions.
He remains a consistent helper, learning from his father's observations about human nature and the importance of self-reliance.
Obedient, diligent, somewhat naive, and eager to please his father.
Locations
The Wheat Field
A vast, open field of golden wheat, almost ripe for harvest. The stalks stand tall and heavy with grain, swaying gently in the breeze. The ground is likely dry earth, possibly with some weeds or wildflowers at the edges.
Mood: Initially peaceful and nurturing, becoming increasingly anxious and urgent as harvest time nears.
The larks' nest is hidden here, and it's the central location where the young larks hear the farmer's plans for harvest.
The Lark's Nest
A small, concealed nest woven from dried grasses and soft plant fibers, nestled low among the dense stalks of ripe wheat. It is a cozy, protective space, barely visible from above, designed to shelter the young, unfledged larks.
Mood: Safe and warm, but filled with growing apprehension and fear for the young larks as they await their mother's return.
This is where the young larks reside and where they report the farmer's conversations to their mother, leading to their eventual relocation.