FABLE XXXI.

THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.

A LARK, who had young ones in a field of corn almost ripe, was
under some fear lest the reapers should come to reap it before
her young brood was fledged and able to remove from that place.
She, therefore, upon flying abroad to look for food, left this
charge with them--to take notice what they heard talked of in her
absence, and tell her of it when she came back again.

When she was gone, they heard the owner of the corn call to his
son: "Well," says he, "I think this corn is ripe enough. I would
have you go early to-morrow, and desire our friends and
neighbours to come and help us to reap it." When the old Lark
came home, the young ones fell a quivering and chirping round
her, and told her what had happened, begging her to remove them
as fast as she could. The mother bid them be easy: "For," said
she, "if the owner depends on his friends and neighbours, I am
pretty sure the corn will not be reaped to-morrow."

Next day, she went out again, leaving the same orders as before.
The owner came, and staid, expecting his friends; but the sun
grew hot, and nothing was done, for not a soul came to help them.
Then says he to his son, "I perceive these friends of ours are
not to be depended upon; so you must go to your uncles and
cousins, and tell them I desire they would be here betimes
to-morrow morning, to help us to reap." Well, this the young
ones, in a great fright, reported also to their mother. "If that
be all," says she, "do not be frightened, dear children; for
kindred and relations are not so very forward to serve one
another; but take particular notice what you hear said next time,
and be sure you let me know it."

She went abroad next day, as usual; and the owner, finding his
relations as slack as the rest of his neighbours, said to his
son, "Harkee, George; get a couple of good sickles ready against
to-morrow morning, and we will even reap the corn ourselves."
When the young ones told their mother this, "Then," said she, "we
must be gone indeed; for, when a man undertakes to do his
business himself, it is not so likely he will be disappointed."
So she removed her young ones at once, and the corn was reaped
next day by the good man and his son.

MORAL.

Never depend on the assistance of others. No business is so sure
to be done as that which a man sets about doing himself.

FABLE XXXII.

THE FOX AND THE CROW.

A CROW, having taken a piece of che