In a field one summer’s evening a Farmer placed some nets and ambushed to catch the birds that were doing him damage. When it was fully dark he looked at his nets, and found that he had caught nothing.
So he went to bed, thinking he had lost his labour. But the next morning, when he came to the nets and looked in, he found he had caught several birds, including a Stork with a broken wing. They had come and did their best to keep the nets down. It was late before the Stork came up, and the Farmer and his man were able to find him. When he did come and found he was caught he asked the other birds if they had seen their enemies, the Farmer and his men.
Oh, yes, said the Turtledove, we have alarmed each other. The first news we had was from the Wagtail that they were all about the field, but of course by that time it was too late to escape.
For my part, said the Stork, I am quite innocent, and do not see why I should be punished. I always gave the alarm when I saw our enemies; I could not help getting these nets round my feet; they did not come through my notice, but I was not even alarmed by those who came with the Farmer, and poor me for doing no harm at all.
What the Farmer to all this it is not our province to know; but this at least is certain:
No one should be judged by his enemies.