The Swallow and the Other Birds


The Swallow and the Other Birds 
It happened that a Countryman was sowing some hemp seedsin a field where a Swallow and some other birds were hopping about picking up their food.

"Beware of that man," quoth the Swallow. "Why, what is he doing?" said the others. "That is hemp seed he is sowing; be careful to pick up every one of the seeds, or else you will repent it."

The birds paid no heed to the Swallow's words, and by and by the hemp grew up and was made into cord, and of the cords nets were made, and many a bird that had despised the Swallow's advice was caught in nets made out of that very hemp.

"What did I tell you?" said the Swallow.

Destroy the seed of evil, or it will grow up to your ruin.
sowing: sembrando
hemp seeds: semillas de cáñamo
swallow: golondrina
hopping about: saltando
quoth: dijo (en inglés antiguo)
paid no heed: no prestaron atención
cord: cordón
evil: el mal