A lark1 had made her nest in the early spring on the young greenwheat. The brood had almost grown to their full strength andattained the use of their wings and the full plumage of theirfeathers, when the owner of the field, looking over his ripecrop, said, "The time has come when I must ask all my neighborsto help me with my harvest." One of the young larks2 heard hisspeech and related it to his mother, inquiring of her to whatplace they should move for safety. "There is no occasion to moveyet, my son," She replied; "The man who only sends to his friendsto help him with his harvest is not really in earnest." The ownerof the field came again a few days later and saw the wheatshedding the grain from excess of ripeness. He said, "I willcome myself tomorrow with my laborers3, and with as many reapersas I can hire, and will get in the harvest." The lark on hearingthese words said to her brood, "It is time now to be off, mylittle ones, for the man is in earnest this time; he no longertrusts his friends, but will reap the field himself." 
Self-help is the best help. 