My parents fed me constantly with tender worms; and it is no wonder that the feathers began to grow on my naked little body, or that my father soon thought me able to fly. So one fine day I stood on the edge of the nest, fluttered my wings, and flew out of my father's house. With many fears and a beating heart I at last alighted on an acacia-tree. While I sat there, I saw many large birds walking about, and also a cat, against whom my mother had already warned me; and, directly over my head, I heard the scream of a hawk.
In my fright, I cried out bitterly; but when the cat ran away, and the hawk flew into the woods near by, I grew calm again. My cry soon brought my mother to my side; and my father came, bringing a delicious worm to comfort me.
Before many days I was able take care of myself. About this time I met with an adventure. One day I saw several of my comrades fly in through an open window. Wishing to know what they found, I also flew in, and soon was as busy as any of them eating the grains of wheat with which the floor was covered. Suddenly the window was shut, and we were caught. A laughing boy put his hand over me, took me up, then cut my wings, and let me hop. He was very kind to me; but I longed for my liberty. Fortunately my wings soon grew; and one day, when the window stood open, I flew away, and found my mother again.
One sunny day in the autumn, my mother and I sat on a gate, eating some grains of wheat. A sly old cat who had hidden under a burdock which grew beside the gate, suddenly sprang up, and seized my dear mother with her sharp claws.
