"Oh, what is the matter with Robin,
That makes her cry round here all day?
I think she must be in great trouble,"
Said Swallow to little Blue Jay.
"I know why the Robin is crying,"
Said Wren, with a sob in her breast;
"A naughty bold robber has stolen
Three little blue eggs from her nest.
"He carried them home in his pocket;
I saw him, from up in this tree:
Ah me! how my little heart fluttered
For fear he would come and rob me!"
"Oh! what little boy was so wicked?"
Said Swallow, beginning to cry;
"I wouldn't be guilty of robbing
A dear little bird's-nest—not I."
"Nor I!" said the birds in a chorus:
"A cruel and mischievous boy!
I pity his father and mother;
He surely can't give them much joy.
"I guess he forgot what a pleasure
The dear little robins all bring,
In early spring-time and in summer,
By the beautiful songs that they sing.
"I guess he forgot that the rule is,
To do as you'd be always done by;
I guess he forgot that from heaven
There looks down an All-seeing Eye."
Mrs. C. F. Berry.