Chapter 71
A bird-catcher was setting traps upon a meadow when a lark, who was watching from a distance, asked him what he was doing.
“I’m building a colony,” he said, “and I’m laying the foundations for my first city.”
After he finished his work, the man retreated to a nearby spot and hid himself. Meanwhile, the lark, who had believed everything that was said, flew down to the place, and after swallowing the bait, found himself caught in the noose. Before he knew what was happening, the bird-catcher came and took him prisoner.
“What a nice fellow you are!” the lark exclaimed. “If this is the kind of colony you build, you won’t find many emigrants to settle down in your city.”
Even the sincere observations of the naïve people are useless.