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.

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.

A swallow warning a flock of birds perched near a farmer sowing hemp seeds
Text Version

Audio available for B1 version

Share

Feedback

Word Finder
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.

Create your first playlist

A place for bedtime stories, classroom favourites, or a little reading practice.

New playlist

My Library

Your saved stories, ready when you are.

Your library will be available when account access is enabled.

Create your first playlist

A place for bedtime stories, classroom favourites, or a little reading practice.

New playlist

Welcome back!

Log in or sign up to save fables or add them to playlists.

Loading...