The Birdcatcher The Partridge And The Cock
A Birdcatcher was about to sit down to a dinner of herbs when a friend
unexpectedly came in. The bird-trap was quite empty, as he had caught
nothing, and he had to kill a pied Partridge, which he had tamed for
a decoy. The bird entreated earnestly for his life: "What would you
do without me when next you spread your nets? Who would chirp you
to sleep, or call for you the covey of answering birds?' The Birdcatcher
spared his life, and determined to pick out a fine young Cock just
attaining to his comb. But the Cock expostulated in piteous tones
from his perch: "If you kill me, who will announce to you the appearance
of the dawn? Who will wake you to your daily tasks or tell you when
it is time to visit the bird-trap in the morning?' He replied, "What
you say is true. You are a capital bird at telling the time of day.
But my friend and I must have our dinners."
Necessity knows no law.
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