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These stories provided by children's author Rick Walton's Online Library.
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The Birdcatcher, the Partridge, and the Cock
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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.
(from Aesop's Fables, translated by George Townsend)
Picture Credits
Original bunny climbing rope picture by Paige Miglio (copyright 2000 ©) from One More Bunny authored by Rick Walton.
Original purple monster picture by Renee Williams-Andriani (copyright 1998 ©) from Really, Really Bad School Jokes authored by Rick Walton.
Original bullfrog seated picture by Chris McAllister (copyright 1999 ©) from Bullfrog Pops! authored by Rick Walton.
Electronic modifications by Ann Walton.
Last updated: September 27, 2003
