SORROW IN THE NEST.
"I do not think," said Molly, "that I shall ever learn to fly."
"O, don't be afraid!" cried Jack, soothingly. "We'll all help you."
"I am not afraid, but I cannot get away from the nest."
"Why not?" asked Mrs. Robin, in surprise. "Why not?" repeated Jack and
Katy.
"Because my foot is fastened to the bottom of it," replied poor Molly,
in a mournful tone.
Her mother hopped to her side, and endeavored to remove a long piece of
worsted thread, which was woven into the nest, and was now firmly
twisted about Molly's leg.
"How long has this been done?" she asked, in an anxious tone.
"I first discovered it last night," said the patient bird. "Every time
I tried to stir, it bound me firmer than before. I have endeavered to
remove it with my beak, but I think I have only made it worse. Now I
fear I can never learn to fly."
"Dear Molly," said Jack, pressing his neck to hers.
"I will stay in the nest with you," said the tender-hearted Katy.
Mrs. Robin said nothing, but after flying to the top of the tree to see
whether her husband was in sight, she began to pull at the string; but
every motion made poor Molly utter a cry of pain.
"I must be content to remain quietly in the nest," she faltered, in a
touching tone of sadness.
Jack and Katy began to chirp most piteously, and continued to do so
until their father returned.
In the mean time Dick went on eating until he could scarcely move; and
when he began to think it was time to return to the nest, he was so
heavy and stupid that he could not raise his wings. He heard the
continued chirping of his brother and sister, and said to himself,
"Probably they are anxious about me; but I will let them see that I can
take care of myself."
As he said this he tried to feel very brave, but he really longed for
the pleasant nest and the shelter of his mother's wings.
Just then he heard the cockrel crowing right merrily. He had often heard
it before; but now it sounded dreadfully loud and near at hand; and
indeed it was so, for presently Mr. Cock came marching by, his head
erect, and the comb on his foretop glowing like fire.
Dick ran to the lilac bush, and trying to conceal himself in some of
the lower branches, trembled like a leaf in the wind. Here at last he
fell asleep, with his head tucked under his wing.
When Mr. Robin returned from his labor of love, he found his wife and
family in deep affliction. Poor Molly lay exhausted at the bottom of the
nest, her limb being more firmly secured to it by the exertions of her
mother to remove it. Jack and Katy kept up a succession of plaintive
cries, while their mother hopped from one bough to another, her tail
jerking and her wings flapping in distress.
They all began at once to repeat the sad story of Molly's detention,
which Mr. Robin listened to with sharp cries of pain. He hopped into the
nest, but the poor bird begged so earnestly not to be disturbed at
present, that he postponed trying to remove the string until another
day.
"Come, darlings," said he, "I will sing you a song, to try to cheer your
spirits."
He flew to the Observatory at the top of the tree, and warbled forth,--
"See, the morning lights the skies;
Open, birdie, ope your eyes;
The trees begin to blossom fair,
And fling their odors on the air;
And every balmy zephyr brings
Health and sweetness on its wings.
The plants within the garden beds
Begin to lift their pretty heads.
We, merry birds, extend our throats,
And carol forth our sweetest notes.
The hen, with all her little brood,
Comes clucking round the door for food;
Around the yard the pigeons fly;
The stately geese, with heads so high,
Are marching off to swim and scream,
And sport upon the glassy stream.
The fields are smiling all around;
You cannot hear one jarring sound;
There's nothing harsh, there's nothing sad,
But all seems beautiful and glad.
O, how delightful all we see!
And if to robins, such as we,
So much of loveliness is given,
How very charming must be heaven!"