A farmer in Scotland had a bulfinch which he taught to whistle some
plaintive old Scottish airs. He reluctantly parted with the bird for a
sum of money, which his narrow circumstances at the time compelled him
to accept of; but inwardly resolved, if fortune should favor him, to
buy it back, cost what it would. At the end of a year or so, a relation
died, leaving him a considerable legacy. Away he went, the very day
after he got intelligence of this pleasant event, and asked the person
who had purchased the bulfinch, if he would sell it again, telling him
to name his own price. The man would not hear of parting with the bird.
The farmer begged just to have a sight of it, and he would be
satisfied. This was readily agreed to; so, as soon as he entered the
room where the bulfinch was kept, he began to whistle one of the fine
old tunes which he had formerly taught it. The bulfinch remained in a
listening attitude for a minute or two, then it grew restless, as if
struggling with some dim recollection,--then it moved joyously to the
side of the cage, and all at once it seemed to identify its old master,
who had no sooner ceased, than it took up the tune, and warbled it with
the tremulous pathos which marked the manner of its teacher. The effect
was irresistible; the poor farmer burst into tears, and the matter
ended by his receiving the bulfinch in a present: but report says, to
his credit, that he insisted on making a present of money, in return.