At this the boys almost dropped to the ground, they were so badly frightened.
“Oh, Father Thrift,” they cried, “please don’t put us in prison! We have learned a lesson, and we promise never to kill another bird if you will only let us go.”
“My friends, what do you think?” asked Father Thrift, turning to the birds.
The hearts of the birds softened at the sight of the boys’ distress. And they said, “Give them another chance, Father Thrift.”
“But theirs is a serious offense,” Father Thrift said gravely.
Then he turned toward the boys.
“I will release you on one condition,” he said, “and that is that you will henceforth be kind to all harmless living creatures, and protect them from cruel usage.
“Also, that you will ask all the other boys, and their fathers as well, to do the same.
“Build bird houses for your feathered friends and encourage them to come to your villages and farms.