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A Farmer had just sown a field of wheat, and was keeping a

careful watch over it, for numbers of Rooks and starlings kept

continually settling on it and eating up the grain. Along with

him went his Boy, carrying a sling: and whenever the Farmer asked

for the sling the starlings understood what he said and warned

the Rooks and they were off in a moment. So the Farmer hit on a

trick. "My lad," said he, "we must get the better of these birds

somehow. After this, when I want the sling, I won't say 'sling,'

but just 'humph!' and you must then hand me the sling quickly."

Presently back came the whole flock. "Humph!" said the Farmer;

but the starlings took no notice, and he had time to sling

several stones among them, hitting one on the head, another in

the legs, and another in the wing, before they got out of range.

As they made all haste away they met some cranes, who asked them

what the matter was. "Matter?" said one of the Rooks; "it's those

rascals, men, that are the matter.