HE old hawk has been caught at last, and has been put in a cage, from which he cannot escape to do any more mischief. The fowls all come from the barnyard to see him. They dare go near him now, for they know he cannot harm them.
The sparrow looks saucily at him, saying, "Ah, ha, Sir Hawk! You have scared me many a time with your sharp claws and hooked beak; but now I am a match for you. It was fine fun for you to kill little chickens. Now you see what comes of it."
"Yes indeed," cries the turkey, "he killed seven dear little chickens. How glad I am that he is caught at last! I'll give him a piece of my mind now, but he can't have any more chickens."
"Ah!" says the hawk, "you talk very bravely; but, if I were let out of this cage, you would not stare at me much longer."
The fowls walk slowly away without saying more. But the pert young sparrow bristles up, and dares the hawk to come out and fight him. It is very easy to be brave when there is no danger.
Leonora, from the German.
CONTENTMENT.
When the roses bloom sweet and red,
And the daisy has lifted her shining head;
When birds are still in the brooding nest,—
Of all the seasons summer is best.
When the golden-rod's torches shine,—
And the purple grapes drop ripe from the vine;
When the reddening maples light up the way,
There is nothing so good as an autumn day.
When the hills are white with snow,
And only the frostflowers dare to blow;
When sleigh-bells chime from far and near,—
Winter's the best time of all the year.
When the wild brooks begin to leap,
And out of the earth the mosses creep;
When swallows twitter, and robins call,—
Spring is the very best time of all.
MARY N. PRESCOTT.