A rich old farmer, who felt that he had not many more days to live, called his sons to his bedside. Stop your crying, or I will give you to the Wolf! Do not be frightened, children, said the Mother Lark. Why are you doing that? asked the Fox at last with a grin. If I should bring you a drink, it would only serve to wash me down your throat. One day he even went so far as to leave his flock in the Wolf's care while he went on an errand. Shortly after that, another election among the Animals was held.
We often make much of the ornamental and despise the useful.