The Lark and Her Young Ones

The Lark and Her Young Ones

A LARK had made her nest in the early spring on the young green wheat.

The brood had almost grown to their full strength and attained the use

of their wings and the full plumage of their feathers, when the owner

of the field, looking over his ripe crop, said, “The time has come when

I must ask all my neighbors to help me with my harvest.” One of the

young Larks heard his speech and related it to his mother, inquiring of

her to what place they should move for safety. “There is no occasion to

move yet, my son,” she replied; “the man who only sends to his friends

to help him with his harvest is not really in earnest.” The owner of

the field came again a few days later and saw the wheat shedding the

grain from excess of ripeness. He said, “I will come myself tomorrow

with my laborers, and with as many reapers as I can hire, and will get

in the harvest.” The Lark on hearing these words said to her brood, “It

is time now to be off, my little ones, for the man is in earnest this

time; he no longer trusts his friends, but will reap the field

himself.”

Self-help is the best help.