A lark1 nested in a field of corn, and was rearing her brood（一窩） under cover of the ripening2 grain.

　　One day, before the young were fully3 fledged（羽翼豐滿）, the farmer came to look at the crop, and, finding it yellowing fast, he said, "I must send round word to my neighbours to come and help me reap this field." One of the young Larks4 overheard him, and was very much frightened, and asked her mother whether they hadn't better move house at once. "There's no hurry," replied she; "a man who looks to his friends for help will take his time about a thing."

　　In a few days the out of the ears upon the ground. "I must put it off no longer,' he said; "This very day I'll hire the men and set them to work at once." The lark heard him and said to her young, "Come, my children, we must be off: he talks no more of his friends now, but is going to take things in hand himself."

　　Self-help is the best help.