“A glow-worm! mamma,” said John and Mary, “what is that?”
“It is a small worm, which is able to send forth a light from its body, which shines in the dark, as you saw it. This is the only insect of the kind which is found in our isle, but there are many in other lands, and some of them give far more light than this does. There is the fire-fly, which, as it flits in and out of the dark bushes in the night with its star-like light, must look very pretty.”
“Oh, how I wish I could see it!” said John.
“The men who live where the fireflies are, sometimes use them as a lamp, to guide them from place to place.”
“How droll,” said Mary, “when you want a light, just to run into the woods and catch one!”
“How many things there are in the world,” said John, “which I have not heard of!”
“Yes,” said his mamma, “that is quite true; and though you should live to be an old man, you will still have to say the same, for the earth and the sea are full of the works of the Lord, and no life is too long in which to learn them all.”
THE REED-BIRD.
“James, James, where are you gone?” said Jesse Wright.
“Hush, Jesse, here I am, quite safe,” said James. “Pray do not make such a noise.”