Still the turtle-dove cried: “Take two, Taffy, take two-o-o-o!”
At last, and at last, the magpie looked up and saw nobody near her but the silly turtle-dove, and then she got rarely angry and flew away and refused to tell the birds how to build nests again.
And that is why different birds build their nests differently.
THE GREEDY GEESE
FROM IL LIBRO D'ORO (ADAPTED)
Many years ago there was near the sea a convent famed for the rich crops of grain that grew on its farm. On a certain year a large flock of wild geese descended on its fields and devoured first the corn, and then the green blades.
The superintendent of the farm hastened to the convent and called the lady abbess.
“Holy mother,” said he, “this year the nuns will have to fast continually, for there will be no food.”
“Why is that?” asked the abbess.