The Swallow and the Other Birds

It happened that a Countryman was sowing some hemp¹ seeds in a
field where a Swallow and some other birds were hopping² about
picking up their food.  "Beware of that man," quoth the Swallow.
"Why, what is he doing?" said the others.  "That is hemp seed he
is sowing; be careful to pick up every one of the seeds, or else
you will repent³ it."  The birds paid no heed⁴ to the Swallow's
words, and by and by the hemp grew up and was made into cord, and
of the cords nets were made, and many a bird that had despised the
Swallow's advice was caught in nets made out of that very hemp.
"What did I tell you?" said the Swallow.


Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.