à căde my satchels creaking swaying night' in găle graceful LXXV. THE PINE TREE ACADEMY. All the birdies went to school, And what he did not know, You may be sure was not worth knowing. Their satchels are hanging up tidy and neat, They smooth down their feathers and wipe off their feet, While the wind through the tree-top goes creeping. 66 Speak up loud," says the crow, "I can't hear, as you know, While the branches are swaying and creak ing." very best way to fly, They are taught the How to cock the head when beginning to sing. "I've a cold," says the crow, "Or else I would show How the nightingale does when he makes the woods ring." The books are made of maple leaves, "When you write," says the crow, Make your letters look graceful, not thick.” Every birdie builds a nest, In the place each thinks the best, While the teacher gives good sound advice. "You must lay in a row; Before using one, look at it twice." All at once, with a cold blast, The rain comes falling, thick and fast, But to-morrow, come back without fail." wicked mesh'es es cape' rubbish craft'y moun tain eer LXXVI. THE FOUR YOUNG SPARROWS. A sparrow once had four young ones in a swallow's nest. Just as they were fledged some wicked boys tore the nest down. Happily the little birds fluttered away without having received harm. any But the mother sparrow was very unhappy because her children had gone out into the world without being warned of the dangers that awaited them, and without being taught how to escape. Autumn came, and a large number of sparrows met in a wheat-field. Here, to the mother's great joy, she found her young ones, and took them home with her. "Alas! my dear children," she said, "what great sorrow you have caused me this summer, before I could give you because flew you away any advice. Listen to my words now; and obey me in all I say. Little birds have to meet many dangers." Then she asked the largest one where he had spent the summer and how he had fared. "I stayed in the garden," he replied, "and lived on worms and caterpillars till cherries were ripe." 66 Digging with the bill is not bad pastime," said the mother bird, "but there is great danger in a garden. Beware of people who walk around carrying a long green stick that is hollow and has a hole in the top." "And what if there is a green leaf on the hole, covered with wax ?" asked the young one. "Where did you see that?" “In the merchant's garden.' you "O, my child!" exclaimed the mother, "merchants are cunning people. But if have been among the world's people, you have learned enough of their crafty ways. Make good use of your knowledge, and do not take any risks." Then she asked another where he had been living. "At court," was the reply. "That is no place for sparrows and silly little birds," said the mother. "There one finds gold and silks and velvets; but your place is out in the stables, where the grain is scattered, and you can pick up your living in peace." "Yes;" answered the young bird, “but when the stable boys weave the straw into knots and meshes, many a bird gets hanged." |