Aesop
|
Greece

The Swallow and Other Birds

A wise Swallow warns other birds about hemp seeds, which could become dangerous nets, but they ignore the advice and get trapped.
Ignorance
Preparedness
Consequences
Featured in Fable Book
Aesop's Fables - The Swallow and Other Birds
Audio available for B1 version

In a far-off land, there was a Swallow, swift and alert. One day, as she was flying high above the earth, she saw some shiny little objects scattered across a farmer's field. Hovering down for a closer look, she noticed these were not ordinary seeds but hemp seeds, the kind used to grow strong fibers.

The Swallow, being wise and thoughtful, recognized the potential danger these seeds could bring. She understood that if these seeds were to sprout, grow, and be harvested, they might be spun into threads and woven into nets - tools that could pose a risk to all birds, herself included.

Taking the initiative, the swallow gathered all the birds in the area and warned them about the perilous seeds. The swallow urged the others, "We must eat these seeds now while they are still harmless. If we let them grow, they might become the means of our own capture."

Unfortunately, the other birds brushed off the swallow's advice. They thought the swallow was being overly cautious and paranoid. After all, the seeds were just seeds, and the nets were far away in the human world.

Ignoring the swallow's advice, the birds continued with their daily routines. The swallow, however, persisted and ate as many hemp seeds as it could, but one bird could only do so much.

As time passed, the disregarded seeds sprouted into plants, then matured into tall hemp crops. Humans harvested these crops and turned the fibers into sturdy nets. Before long, the nets were cast, and the birds who had ignored the swallow's warning were caught and trapped.

In a faraway land, there was a quick and alert Swallow. One day, while flying high above the ground, she saw some shiny objects in a farmer's field. She flew down to see what they were and noticed that they were not ordinary seeds, but hemp seeds, used to grow strong fibers.

The Swallow, being wise, knew these seeds could be dangerous. If the seeds grew into plants, they might be used to make nets that could catch birds, including herself.

The Swallow decided to warn the other birds. She told them, "We must eat these seeds now before they grow. If we let them grow, they might be used to make nets that can catch us."

But the other birds did not listen to the Swallow. They thought she was worrying too much. "They are just seeds," they said, and continued with their day.

The Swallow did not give up. She ate as many hemp seeds as she could, but one bird could not eat them all.

Time passed, and the seeds grew into tall hemp plants. The humans harvested the plants and made strong nets from the fibers. Soon, the nets were used to catch birds, including those who had ignored the Swallow’s warning.

In a faraway land, there was a quick and alert Swallow. One day, while flying high above the ground, she saw some shiny objects in a farmer's field. She flew down to see what they were and noticed that they were not ordinary seeds, but hemp seeds, used to grow strong fibers.

The Swallow, being wise, knew these seeds could be dangerous. If the seeds grew into plants, they might be used to make nets that could catch birds, including herself.

The Swallow decided to warn the other birds. She told them, "We must eat these seeds now before they grow. If we let them grow, they might be used to make nets that can catch us."

But the other birds did not listen to the Swallow. They thought she was worrying too much. "They are just seeds," they said, and continued with their day.

The Swallow did not give up. She ate as many hemp seeds as she could, but one bird could not eat them all.

Time passed, and the seeds grew into tall hemp plants. The humans harvested the plants and made strong nets from the fibers. Soon, the nets were used to catch birds, including those who had ignored the Swallow’s warning.

In a fun, quirky land that was, oh, miles and miles away—seriously, you’d need a treasure map to find it—a Swallow with super cool sunglasses was zipping through the sky. "Just another fly-by," she thought.

Then, WHAM! She saw something sparkling on Farmer's field. "Ooh, sparkly!" she chirped, diving down for a closer peek. "Hmm, these aren't the usual snacks."

In a flash, she figured out these weren't the normal seeds. Nope, they were hemp seeds! The kind that might turn into big, bad nets. Not the fun jump-in-and-play kind, but the kind that catches birds.

"Hey, bird buddies!" Swallow hollered, doing a funky little dance. "These seeds? Not cool. We should eat 'em up before they turn into sneaky nets!"

Some birds, like a chill Pigeon and a sassy Sparrow, just shrugged. "You’re making a big fuss," cooed Pigeon.

"Yeah, if you're worried, just flap away or something," chirped Sparrow.

Swallow shook her head. "No way, I'm not giving up!" And she munched on as many seeds as she could. Nom! Nom! Nom! But even a hungry Swallow couldn’t clear a whole field.

Time zoomed by, and those sneaky seeds grew super tall. Before anyone realized, humans made them into, yup, bird-catching nets. "Told ya!" Swallow shouted, dodging a net, but for the others, game time was over. They were stuck!

"Should've listened," they tweeted, wrapped up like a present. And that's why you always listen when a Swallow with sunglasses gives a warning.

Swift Swallow flies so high,
Through clouds and blue, clear sky.
She spots some seeds upon the ground,
Not just any seeds, she found.

They're hemp seeds, strong and tough,
Soon to be nets, sure enough!
Swallow thinks, "Oh, this won't do!
I must tell my feathered crew."

So she gathers birds around,
Tells them what she has just found.
"Eat these seeds," Swallow cries,
"Or they'll grow to nets, no lies!"

Birds all laugh, "Oh, you're too tense!
These tiny seeds? They're no defense!
They're far from nets, oh, don't you see?
Just leave them be, they're harmless, free!"

Swallow eats what she can eat,
But many seeds stay at her feet.
Days go by, and sure enough,
Those tiny seeds grow tall and tough.

Then humans come, their nets they cast,
Birds get caught; they're trapped so fast.
Swallow sighs, "If only you
Had listened close, you'd be free too!"

So remember well, what Swallow knew,
Small things can grow to trap you, too!
Listen close to wise advice,
It just might save you, once or twice.

Share
Feedback

Word Finder

  1. Alert

    Always watching and ready for any danger.

  2. Shiny

    Reflecting light, very bright or glossy.

  3. Ordinary

    Common, usual, or not special in any way.

  4. Hemp

    A plant used to make strong fibers and materials.

  5. Fibers

    Long, thin pieces used to make cloth or nets.

  6. Dangerous

    Likely to cause harm or trouble.

  7. Nets

    Mesh made of ropes or threads to catch things.

  8. Warn

    To tell someone about possible danger ahead.

  9. Harvested

    Gathered ripe plants or crops from fields.

  10. Ignored

    Did not pay attention or listen to something.

Understanding Questions

  1. What did the Swallow notice about the seeds in the farmer's field?
  2. Why did the Swallow think the hemp seeds were dangerous?
  3. How did the other birds react to the Swallow's warning about the seeds?
  4. What did the Swallow do to try to prevent the danger from the hemp seeds?
  5. What happened after the seeds grew into plants and were harvested by the humans?
Word Finder
  1. Alert

    Always watching and ready for any danger.

  2. Shiny

    Reflecting light, very bright or glossy.

  3. Ordinary

    Common, usual, or not special in any way.

  4. Hemp

    A plant used to make strong fibers and materials.

  5. Fibers

    Long, thin pieces used to make cloth or nets.

  6. Dangerous

    Likely to cause harm or trouble.

  7. Nets

    Mesh made of ropes or threads to catch things.

  8. Warn

    To tell someone about possible danger ahead.

  9. Harvested

    Gathered ripe plants or crops from fields.

  10. Ignored

    Did not pay attention or listen to something.

Understanding Questions
  1. What did the Swallow notice about the seeds in the farmer's field?

    1. They were large and shiny.
    2. They were small and dull.
    3. They were colorful and bright.
    4. They were scattered everywhere.
  2. Why did the Swallow think the hemp seeds were dangerous?

    1. Because they were too small.
    2. Because they could cause harm.
    3. Because they looked rotten.
    4. Because they were tasty.
  3. How did the other birds react to the Swallow's warning about the seeds?

    1. They ignored the warning.
    2. They were very scared.
    3. They thanked the Swallow.
    4. They started to panic.
  4. What did the Swallow do to try to prevent the danger from the hemp seeds?

    1. She flew away quickly.
    2. She warned the farmer.
    3. She called for help.
    4. She ate the seeds herself.
  5. What happened after the seeds grew into plants and were harvested by the humans?

    1. They became food for the birds.
    2. They were turned into ropes.
    3. They were thrown away.
    4. They made the farm beautiful.
  1. What did the Swallow notice about the seeds in the farmer's field?
  2. Why did the Swallow think the hemp seeds were dangerous?
  3. How did the other birds react to the Swallow's warning about the seeds?
  4. What did the Swallow do to try to prevent the danger from the hemp seeds?
  5. What happened after the seeds grew into plants and were harvested by the humans?
  1. What did the Swallow notice about the seeds in the farmer's field?
  2. Why did the Swallow think the hemp seeds were dangerous?
  3. How did the other birds react to the Swallow's warning about the seeds?
  4. What did the Swallow do to try to prevent the danger from the hemp seeds?
  5. What happened after the seeds grew into plants and were harvested by the humans?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why do you think the Swallow was worried about the hemp seeds?
  2. How did the other birds react to the Swallow's warning, and why do you think they responded that way?
  3. Can you remember a time when you didn't listen to a warning, and what were the consequences?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of understanding potential risks and taking precautions?
  5. How can we apply the lessons from this story to make better decisions in our own lives?
Fable Quotes
Ignorance of danger doesn't keep it away.
Preparation today can save us from tomorrow's dangers.
Ignoring wise advice can lead to unwanted consequences.
Just One More Fable

The powerful North Wind and the gentle Sun try to make a traveler take off his cloak to prove who is stronger. Which one will succeed?

Read More

When a farmer brings a bundle of sticks to his sons, they stop arguing. How did a simple bundle of sticks teach them?

Read More
About

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Buy a Book and Help Bring Fables to the World

Enjoy 25 selected fables for life, in print. Every purchase supports free stories for children, parents, and teachers worldwide at fablereads.com

Learn More