A farmer placed nets on his newly-sown plowlands and caught anumber of cranes, which came to pick up his seed. With them hetrapped a stork1 that had fractured his leg in the net and wasearnestly beseeching2 the farmer to spare his life. "Pray saveme, master," He said, "And let me go free this once. my brokenlimb should excite your pity. besides, I am no crane, I am astork, a bird of excellent character; and see how I love andslave for my father and mother. look too, at my feathers--they are not the least like those of a crane." The farmer laughed aloud and said, "It may be all as you say, I only know this: I have taken you with these robbers, the cranes, and you must die in their company." 
Birds of a feather flock together. 