Finding that Cranes were destroying his newly sown corn, the Farmer one evening set a net in his field to catch the culprit. When he went to examine the net next morning he found a number of Cranes and also a Stork.
“Release me, I plea you,” cried the Stork, “for I have not eaten your corn, nor have I done you any harm. I am a poor innocent stork, as you may see – a most dutiful bird, I honor my father and mother. I…”
But the Farmer cut him short. “All this may be true enough, but I have caught you with those were destroying my crops, and you must suffer with the company in which you are found.”
Lesson: People are judged by the company they keep.
