Cranes, Geese, and Stork

08. THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK.
A Husbandman whose new-sown corn,
Away by Cranes and Geese was torn,
A snare to trap the plunderers set,
And caught the robbers in a net.
A silly Stork among the rest,
Caught in the act, was sore distressed,
And pleaded he might not be slain
As he was neither Goose nor Crane.
"That may be true," the Farmer cried,
"But you are found with thieves allied;
Repentance comes a day too late, --
You all must share a common fate.
EVIL COMMUNICATIONS CORRUPT GOOD MANNERS
MEN ARE JUDGED BY THE COMPANY THEY KEEP
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The Farmer and the Stork

6.09. De agricola et pelargo
Caxton: Of the labourer and of the pyelarge
He whiche is taken with the wicked and euyll oughte to suffre payne and punycyon as they / As it appiereth by this fable / Of a labourer whiche somtyme dressyd and sette his gynnes and nettes for to take the ghees and the cranes / whiche ete his corne / It happed thenne that ones amonge a grete meyny of ghees and cranes / he took a pyelarge / whiche prayd the labourer in this maner / I praye the lete me go / For I am neyther goos ne crane nor I am not come hyther for to do to the ony euylle / The labourer beganne thenne to lawhe / and sayd to the pyelarge / yf thow haddest not be in theyr felauship / thow haddest not entryd in to my nettes / ne haddest not be taken / And by cause that thow arte founde and taken with them / thow shalt be punysshed as they shalle be
Therfore none ought to hold companye with the euylle withoute he wylle suffre the punycion of them whiche ben punysshed
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The Husbandman and the Stork

074. THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. A Husbandman fixed a net in his field to catch the Cranes that came to feed on his new-sown corn. When he went to examine the net, and see what Cranes he had taken, a Stork was found among the number.
“Spare me,” cried the Stork, “and let me go. I am no Crane. I have eaten none of your corn. I am a poor innocent Stork, as you may see — the most pious and dutiful of birds. I honour and succour my father and mother. I — ”
But the Husbandman cut him short. “All this may be true enough, I dare say, but this I know, that I have caught you with those who were destroying my crops, and you must suffer with the company in which you are taken.”
Ill company proves more than fair professions. [more info]

The Husbandman and the Stork

154. THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. The husbandman pitched a net in his fields to take the cranes and geese which came to feed upon the new-sown corn. Accordingly he took several, both cranes and geese, and among them a stork, who pleaded hard for his life, and, among other apologies which he made, alleged, that he was neither goose nor crane, but a poor harmless stork, who performed his duty to his parents to all intents and purposes, feeding them when they were old, and, as occasion required, carrying them from place to place upon his back.
“All this may be true,” replies the husbandman, “but as I have taken you in bad company, and in the same crime, you must expect to suffer the same punishment.” [more info]

The Husbandman and the Stork

056. THE HUSBANDMAN AND THE STORK. The husbandman pitched a net in his fields to take the cranes and geese which came to feed upon the new-sown corn. Accordingly he took several, both cranes and geese, and among them a stork, who pleaded hard for his life, and, among other apologies which he made, alleged, that he was neither goose nor crane, but a poor harmless stork, who performed his duty to his parents to all intents and purposes, feeding them when they were old, and, as occasion required, carrying them from place to place upon his back.
“All this may be true,” replies the husbandman, “but as I have taken you in bad company, and in the same crime, you must expect to suffer the same punishment.” [more info]

An Husbandman and Stork

2.08. AN HUSBANDMAN AND STORK. A poor innocent Stork had the ill hap to be taken in a net that was laid for geese and cranes. The Stork's plea for herself was simplicity and piety, the love she bore to mankind, her duty to her parents, and the service she did in picking up venomous creatures. "This may be all true, says the Husbandman, "for what I know; but as you have been taken with ill company, you must expect to suffer with it."
MORAL. Our fortune and reputation require us to keep good company: for as we may be easily perverted by the force of bad examples, wise men will judge of us by the company we keep. What says the proverb? Birds of a feather will flock together. [more info]

The Farmer and the Stork

14. THE FARMER AND THE STORK. A Farmer set a net in his field to catch the Cranes that were eating his grain. He caught the Cranes, and with them a Stork also. The Stork was lame, and begged the Farmer to let him go.
"I am not a Crane," he said. "I am a Stork. I am a very good bird, and take care of my father and mother. Look at the color of my skin; it is not the same as the Crane's."
But the Farmer said: "I do not know how that is. I caught you with the Cranes, and with the Cranes you must die."
It is well to keep out of the way of wicked people, lest we fall into the trap with them. [more info]

The Stork and Geese

056. THE STORK AND GEESE. You will find the fable in English on this page; scroll down to see if there are multiple English versions. [more info]

The Farmer and the Stork

THE FARMER AND THE STORK. A Stork of a very simple and trusting nature had been asked by a gay party of Cranes to visit a field that had been newly planted. But the party ended dismally with all the birds entangled in the meshes of the Farmer's net.
The Stork begged the Farmer to spare him.
"Please let me go," he pleaded. "I belong to the Stork family who you know are honest and birds of good character. Besides, I did not know the Cranes were going to steal."
"You may be a very good bird," answered the Farmer, "but I caught you with the thieving Cranes and you will have to share the same punishment with them."
You are judged by the company you keep. [more info]