The Ploughman and the Tree

In a ploughman's field there was a tree that bore no fruit and served only as a refuge for sparrows and chirping cicadas. The ploughman, seeing it barren, went to cut it down, and already, axe in hand, was striking his blow. The cicadas and sparrows begged him not to fell their shelter, but to leave it for them, so that they could sing there and charm the ploughman himself. He, paying them no heed, struck a second and then a third blow. But, having made a hollow in the tree, he found a swarm of bees and honey. He tasted it, threw down his axe, and from then on honoured the tree as if it were sacred and took great care of it.