So away they flew, and away they flew, till at last they saw the tall palm-tree; and on the very top of it, a big nest; and in the nest, a little black Crow, and our funny friend Streaky.
They said “How do you do?” and told their errand; because they meant to go through with it now, although they did not much like the look of this ugly bird Streaky, with his airs and graces. Mrs. Crow was very much pleased, but Streaky looked bored, and said:
“Aw, caw, I don’t think I can fly all that way. It is really too much trouble. Why did not the Governor come to see me instead, as usual—aw?” This rude bird called his father the Governor; you see, as he had been brought up among carrion crows, his manners were none of the best.
The young Geese began to like him less than ever. However, they put a good face on it, and answered him:
“Well, Streaky, if you are as weak as all that, we will carry you on a stick.”
These Geese were very big, strong birds, and they thought nothing of carrying Streaky. So they looked about until they found a strong stick, and then each of them took an end in his mouth, and Streaky perched in the middle. They could not say good-bye to Mrs. Crow, because their mouths were full of the stick, but they made her a nice bow, like polite little Geese, and flew off.
As for Streaky, he was far too full of his own importance to say good-bye to his mother, or even so much as “Thank you” to the two birds who were so kindly carrying him. There he sat, on the middle of the stick, as proud as Punch, pluming his feathers, and feeling that now all the world would see what a splendid bird he was.
As they flew over the city Streaky looked down, and saw the king of the city, in a beautiful carriage drawn by four white thoroughbreds, driving round the city in great state and grandeur. “Aha!” thought he, “that’s as it should be! But I’m every bit as good as he!” and in his joy he began to sing a little song which he made up on the spur of the moment, and here is his song:
“As yonder king goes galloping with his milk-white four-in-hand,
Streaky has these, his pair of Geese, to carry him over the land!”