The Wasps and the Partridges
Long ago a farmer lived beside a beautiful sunny vineyard. Sweet grapes and colourful flowers grew in that cheerful vineyard. On a hot summer day the pools dried up and everything burned. The wasps and the little partridges looked for water a long time. At last the thirsty animals came to the old farmer in the field. The partridges came near and asked for water with a sweet voice.
"If you give us water, we will dig your vineyard," they said. The wasps spoke at once too and made great promises. "We will guard your vineyard and sting the thieves away," they said. The farmer listened to those pretty words calmly and with a smile. Then he looked with love at his loyal oxen, quiet workers in his garden. The two groups of animals waited for his answer with excitement.
The farmer shook his head and took a step towards them. "I have two oxen that work in my field every day," he said. "They always help me without any promise," he added. "So I give my last water to work, not to words," he said. The farmer gave his water to the oxen and the others went away. Speaking well is easy, but true friendship asks for work. Fine words butter no parsnips.