The Birdcatcher the Partridge and the Cock

A birdcatcher was about to sit down to a dinner of herbs when a friend unexpectedly arrived. The bird trap was quite empty, as he had caught nothing, and he had to kill a pied partridge that he had tamed as a decoy.

The bird entreated earnestly for his life, saying, "What would you do without me when next you spread your nets? Who would chirp you to sleep or call for you the covey of answering birds?" The birdcatcher spared its life and decided to choose a fine young cock that was just coming into its comb.

However, the cock protested in piteous tones from his perch, "If you kill me, who will announce to you the appearance of the dawn? Who will wake you to your daily tasks or tell you when it is time to visit the bird trap in the morning?"

The birdcatcher replied, "What you say is true. You are an excellent bird for telling the time of day. But my friend and I must have our dinners."

Necessity knows no law.