A Little Pretty Pocket-book/The Husbandman and the Stork

by John Newbery

Fable II.

The Husbandman and the Stork.

A Stork, thro' Misfortune,
Trepann'd by a Crane,
Was pleading his good Deeds,
But pleaded in vain.
The Crane is a Villain,
The Farmer replies,
And he that's his Comrade
Most certainly dies.

To Master Tommy, or Miss Polly.

You see, my Dear, the sad Effects of keeping bad Company; if the poor harmless Strork had not been in Company with the wicked Crane, he might probably have lived until this Day; therefore of all Things take Care what Sort of Children you play with, for those that are wicked will make you so too; and nothing will more displease

Your sincere Friend,

Jack the Giant-Killer.