Finding that cranes were destroying his newly sown corn, a farmer one evening set a net in his field to catch the destructive birds. On examination the next morning, he found a number of cranes and a stork.
“Release me, I beseech you,” cried the stork, “for I have eaten none of your corn, nor have I done you any harm. I am a poor innocent stork, as you may see - a most dutiful bird, I honor my father and mother. I...”
The farmer cut him short.
“All this may be true enough, I dare say, but I have caught you in the company of those who were destroying my crops, and you must suffer the punishment with them all the same.”
A man is known by the company he keeps.
Be careful of the company you keep.
