"Where did you see that?" 66 66 Among the stable boys at court." O, my son!" cried his mother, “stableboys are bad boys. If you have been among such people without losing a feather, you are prepared to go out into the world alone. But keep a sharp lookout; the wolves often eat the most clever little dogs." Then she called the third one and asked, "Where have you found your living?" "On the highways and streets," was the answer. "I look among the rubbish and often find a grain of corn or barley." "Indeed," said the old bird, "that is fine food, but you must watch your chance. Look sharp; and when you see any one stoop to pick up a stone, it is time to fly away.'' "That is true," said the young bird: "but what if one carries stones in his pockets to throw at you?" Where have you seen that?" "The mountaineers, dear mother, when they travel about from place to place, carry stones in this manner." 66 'The mountaineers are rough people, my child," she replied. "If you have been among mountaineers, you have learned many things. "Fly away, little sparrow; Has been killed by a stone." At last she turned to the smallest one: "But you, my little nestling, who were always so weak and so fearful, you must remain with me. Out in the great world are great birds with crooked beaks and long claws. They are always watching for little birds like you. Stay at home with me, keep the spiders and the caterpillars from the trees, and you will be happy." "My dear mother," he replied, "he who gets his food without injury to others will live long. Neither hawk nor eagle will do him any harm. The dear God, who made all the birds of the forest and of the towns, will give him his daily food, for He hears the young raven's cry, and not a sparrow falls to the ground without His notice." "Where did you learn that?" asked the mother. When I was driven away from home last summer," he replied, "I made my home in a church, and kept the windows clear of flies and spiders. There I heard those words. The Father of all sparrows has fed me and saved me from all fierce birds." "Well said, my dear child," answered the mother bird. "Fly back to the church. Keep the windows clear of flies and spiders, chirp to God, as the ravens do, and ask Him daily to care for you; for, beaver frolic antlers flecked haunch'es pal'pi tá ted ex ult'ed I ä'goo Then the little Hiawatha Learned of every bird its language, Learned their names and all their secrets How they built their nests in summer, Where they hid themselves in winter; Of all beasts he learned the language, Why the rabbit was so timid; Talked with them whene'er he met them, Then Iagoo, the great boaster, From a branch of ash he made it, Then he said to Hiawatha: Kill for us a deer with antlers." Forth into the forest straightway All alone walked Hiawatha Proudly, with his bow and arrows; And the birds sang round him, o'er him, "Do not shoot us, Hiawatha!" Sang the robin, sang the bluebird, And the rabbit from his pathway "Do not shoot me, Hiawatha!" But he heeded not, nor heard them, To the ford across the river; And as one in slumber walked he. Hidden in the alder bushes, There he waited till the deer came, Saw two eyes look from the thicket, |