The Spendthrift And The Swallow

by Aesop

　　A young fellow, who was very popular among his boon companions asa good spender, quickly wasted his fortune trying to live up tohis reputation. Then one fine day in early spring he foundhimself with not a penny left, and no property save the clotheshe wore.

　　He was to meet some jolly young men that morning, and he was athis wits' end how to get enough money to keep up appearances.Just then a Swallow flew by, twittering merrily, and the youngman, thinking summer had come, hastened off to a clothes dealer,to whom he sold all the clothes he wore down to his very tunic.

　　A few days later a change in weather brought a severe frost; andthe poor swallow and that foolish young man in his light tunic,and with his arms and knees bare, could scarcely keep life intheir shivering bodies.

　　One swallow does not make a summer.