````There's nothing to compare with
````In earth or sea or up above.=
|IF love prevailed everywhere there would be no terrible wars, no
prisons, no dreadful poverty, no bitter quarrels between those who
work and those for whom they work. And on the Green Meadows and in the
Green Forest there would be no fear of man and no frightful suffering
from traps and terrible guns. Love, that wonderful great thing which is
contained in one little word of four letters, could and would bring joy
and happiness to every heart for all time if only we would give it a
chance.
It was love in the heart of Farmer Brown's boy which made him indignant
when Farmer Brown hinted that he might take his gun and shoot Bob White
and his family. You see, he had made friends with the Bob Whites and
learned to love them, and no one can bear the thought of hurting those
they love. He had replied to his father respectfully, but his face had
flushed red and in his voice there had been the ring of indignation,
which is a certain kind of anger. Farmer Brown actually chuckled when he
heard it. Then he turned and held out his big hand.
“Shake hands, son,” said he. “I was just trying you out to see what you
would say. You know you used to be very fond of hunting, and I was just
wondering if your love of killing, or trying to kill, was stronger than
your sense of right and justice. Now I know that it isn't, and I'm ever
so glad. So you think the Bob Whites have earned our protection?”
Fanner Brown's boy's face flushed again, but this time it was with
pleasure.
“Oh, Dad, I'm so glad you don't want them killed to eat!” he cried. “I
ought to have known that you were just teasing me. I did like to hunt
with my gun once, but that was when I didn't know as much as I do now.
It was exciting to try to find the birds and then see if I could hit
them. I just thought of them as wild things good to eat and so smart
that I had to be a little bit smarter to get them. I never thought of
them as having any feelings. But now I know that they love, and fear,
and suffer pain, and work, and play, and are glad and sad, just like
people. I know because I've watched them. So I don't want to hurt them
or allow them to be hurt any more than I would real people. Why I _love_
'em! I wouldn't have anything happen to them for the world. I'm
dreadfully afraid something will happen to some of them when the hunting
season begins. Can't we do anything for them?”
“We can put up some signs warning all hunters to keep off of our farm
and forbidding all shooting,” replied Farmer Brown. “Then if Bob White
and his family are smart enough to stay on our land I guess they will be
safe, but if they go on the land of other people they are likely to be
shot unless--” he paused.
“Unless I can get other people who own land near us to put up signs
and keep the hunters off and promise not to shoot the Bob Whites
themselves!” exclaimed Farmer Brown's boy eagerly.
Farmer Brown smiled. “Exactly, my son,” said he. “It is your chance to
get even; to do something for the little friends who have done so much
for you. Tomorrow is Saturday, and there will be no school. You may have
all day in which to see what you can do with the neighbors to save Bob
White and his family from the hunters. Listen! Bob would be a blessing
if for nothing but his message of good cheer. But to the cheer he puts
into the world is the daily help he gives. The man who kills Bob White
kills one of our best friends and helpers, and his shot hurts us more
than it does poor little Bob. Now let's go over to the barn and see about
making those signs.”