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 Stork1 that had fractured his leg in the net and was

　　earnestly beseeching2 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."

　　Birds of a feather flock together.