The Owl and the Birds

060. THE OWL AND THE BIRDS. The Owl is a very wise bird; and once, long ago, when the first oak sprouted in the forest, she called all the other Birds together and said to them, "You see this tiny tree? If you take my advice, you will destroy it now when it is small: for when it grows big, the mistletoe will appear upon it, from which birdlime will be prepared for your destruction." Again, when the first flax was sown, she said to them, "Go and eat up that seed, for it is the seed of the flax, out of which men will one day make nets to catch you." Once more, when she saw the first archer, she warned the Birds that he was their deadly enemy, who would wing his arrows with their own feathers and shoot them. But they took no notice of what she said: in fact, they thought she was rather mad, and laughed at her. When, however, everything turned out as she had foretold, they changed their minds and conceived a great respect for her wisdom. Hence, whenever she appears, the Birds attend upon her in the hope of hearing something that may be for their good. She, however, gives them advice no longer, but sits moping and pondering on the folly of her kind. [more info]

The Owl and the Birds

23. THE OWL AND THE BIRDS. Here goes a Story of an Owl that was advised by the Little Birds to Build rather among the Boughs and Leaves as They did, than in Walls and Hollow Trees; and so they shew'd her a young Tender Plant for her Purpose. No, No, says the Owl, these Twigs in time will come to be Lim'd and then you're all Lost if you do but touch 'em. The Birds gave little Heed to't and so went on Playing and Chirping among the Leaves still, and passing their Time there in Flocks as formerly; till in conclusion the Sprigs were all daub'd with Lime, and the poor Wretches clamm'd and taken. Their Repentance came now too late; but in Memory of this Notable Instance of the Owl's Foresight, the Birds never see an Owl to this very Day, but they Flock about her and Follow her, as if it were for a New Lesson. But our Modern Owls have only the Eyes, the Beak, and the Plume of the Owls of Athens, without the Wisdom.
Good Counsel is lost upon those that have not the Grace to hearken to't; or do not Understand it, or will not Embrace and Follow it in the proper Season. [more info]