The Farmer and the Stork

A Farmer set a net in his fields to catch the Cranes that were eating his newly sown grain. When he went to examine the net the next morning, he found several Cranes tangled in its mesh — and among them stood a Stork.

The Stork begged the Farmer to spare him. Please, good sir, he said, I am not a Crane. I am a poor, innocent Stork. I am a bird of excellent character. Look at my feathers — I am no thief of grain.

The Farmer laughed. I can see you are a Stork, he said, and I have no doubt of your excellent character. But I found you in the company of thieves, and you must share their punishment. Those who keep bad company will share in its consequences.