I must say I have experienced much kindness, but I never can like any
mortal so well as my dear Augustus; he will, when he returns, be grown
almost a man, but his kind heart must ever be the same.
I anticipate the greatest pleasure from introducing my children to him,
and I hope, when he comes, and I point him out to you, you will all
behave with propriety to him. Yes, that we will, dear mother, how we
long to see him; but I hope you have not finished your adventures,
exclaimed Dickey (the little chicken who had been so angry about his
worm) I should never be tired of hearing you. But I hope, my child, you
have obtained more than entertainment; do you still think I should kill
the bantum? Oh no! no, if I never meet with any greater troubles, I
shall be a happy bird indeed; how trifling it must have appeared to you.
I wish, said the mother, you could all be advised, to look upon the
present evils as trifling, by considering that at this present moment,
there are thousands of our species suffering the most dreadful tortures;
it is our duty to contribute as much as possible to general happiness,
by forbearance and patience.
When I first came to this farm, I determined to make friends not only of
my own species, but of the ducks, geese, and pigeons; and I have
succeeded, by small acts of civility; and I am persuaded, there is not a
fowl in the yard, but would oblige me, if it could; I shall now take you
to the mother of the bantum, who is a modest young hen, whom I had once
an opportunity of obliging, and I am sure when she hears of the improper
behaviour of her son, she will punish him.
As the good mother imagined the young bantum was punished, after which
he made apology to Dickey, they were afterwards very great friends; the
chickens, by adhering strictly to their mother's advice, passed through
life with ease and comfort to themselves, and were respected by all who
knew them.
I hope a little history may not be quite unprofitable to children; who,
by giving way a little to each other's caprices, will have more
happiness themselves, and be more loved by their companions.
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