It happened that a Countryman was sowing some hemp seed in a field
where a Swallow and some other birds were hopping about picking up
their food. “Beware of that man,” quoth the Swallow. “Why, what is he
doing?” said the others. “That is hemp seed he is sowing; be careful to
pick up every one of the seeds, or else you will repent it.” The birds
paid no heed to the Swallow’s words, and by and by the hemp grew up and
was made into cord, and of the cords nets were made, and many a bird
that had despised the Swallow’s advice was caught in nets made out of
that very hemp. “What did I tell you?” said the Swallow.
“DESTROY THE SEED OF EVIL, OR IT WILL GROW UP TO YOUR RUIN.”