The sparrow

Once upon a time there was a nonconforming sparrow who decided not to fly south for the winter. However, the weather turned cold and he reluctantly headed south. In a short time ice began to form on his wings and he fell to earth into a barnyard, almost frozen. A cow wandered by and crapped on him. The sparrow thought it was the end. But the manure warmed him and defrosted his wings. Warm and happy, able to breathe, he started to sing. Just then, a large cat came by, following the bird song, cleared away the manure, found the bird, and ate him.

The Moral of the Story:

1. Everyone who craps on you is not necessarily your enemy.
2. Everyone who gets you out of the stuff is not necessarily your friend.

3. And if you're warm and happy, keep your mouth shut.

-- from that great joke factory in the sky