The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks
The story revolves around a farmer who is struggling to protect his wheat field from rooks and starlings. He uses a boy as a decoy, having him carry a sling that he can quickly retrieve when needed. The farmer tricks the birds by using a code word, "humph," instead of saying "sling." When the birds return, the farmer uses this opportunity to attack them with stones. The story takes a turn when some cranes encounter the fleeing birds and ask what's wrong. The rooks warn the cranes about the farmer's deceitful nature, claiming that he says one thing but means another. This warning serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting humans. The narrative highlights the cleverness of the farmer in outsmarting the birds and the consequences of underestimating human intentions. The story also touches on the theme of deception and the importance of being aware of potential threats.
By Esopo · First published 1841 · Genre: Fable, Children's Literature, Fiction · 263 words
First lines
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.
What this Textopian page supports
The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks is listed on Textopian as a fable by Esopo, dated 1841 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Fable
- Author: Esopo
- Date: 1841 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Children's Literature, Fiction, Folklore, Adventure
- Length: 263 words
- Structure: 1 section, 2 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks by Esopo
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks?
- How does this fable by Esopo fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Sheep And Lamb by Thomas Miller
- The Palace In The Pig Pen by Dallas Lore Sharp
- The Wrens Nest by Dinah Mulock
- The Boy And The Snails by Esopo
- The Turnip by David Cory
- The Gardener And His Dog by Esopo
Genres
- Fable — Esopo, also known as Aesop, is known for writing fables, stories featuring animals with human characteristics that convey a moral lesson.
- Children's Literature — Fables, including those by Esopo, are often used as educational tools for children, teaching important moral lessons in an entertaining and accessible way.
- Fiction — The plot of 'The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks' is a fictitious narrative, indicative of the general fiction genre.
- Folklore — Esopo's fables, like 'The Farmer, His Boy, and the Rooks,' often take the form of folk tales with a moral lesson, relevant to this genre.
Tags
fable · farm · boy · nature · birds · rooks · friendship · life lessons · growth · adventure · rural · animals