Little Hespie, the wood mouse, sang sometimes as long as nine minutes. Her song usually came forth when she was at play, or exercising in some way. One time she became especially delighted because her wheel squeaked when she turned it. You know how pleased a boy is when his hobbyhorse creaks. So Hespie, too, enjoyed the new noise; but it so drowned her pretty little warble that a drop of oil was put in the wheel to stop the creaky sound. Poor Hespie became quite excited over this change, and bit the wires of her wheel. So a plan was made to soothe poor mousie's feelings. A small strip of stiff paper was placed in such a way that it hit the wheel every time it turned and so made a nice little noise. Hespie forgot her trouble and worked at the wheel joyously, making the paper noise and singing her pretty song at the same time. If Hespie had not had her wheel to play with, her life would have been quite dull. One time her wheel was corked up so that she could not go inside. She became quite angry and ran in and out of her bed-box, hardly knowing what to do. Her rage did not last long, however, and she was soon frolicking about the cage and singing. The song sounded at first like the cooing of a dove; then it changed to quick notes more like the cuckoo; and, after that, the noise was like the tapping of Mr. Woodpecker on a tree. One of Hespie's favorite games, which she played with the children, they called "hauling in the lines." She seemed never to grow tired of it. The children would hold a long cotton cord, while Hespie sat upon her hind legs and pulled it in like a sailor, hand over hand. Then the children would pull it out again just to see her pull it in. Happy little Hespie often sang when she ate. One day a small twig with insects' eggs on it was handed to her. She sat up straight in her cunning way, took the twig in her hands, and held it in her mouth. While she nibbled, she sang; so that she looked very much like a little musician playing a fife. --_Written for Dew Drops by Susanne C. Umlauf._ When we wish to help others, it is wonderful how many ways open before us. OUR LESSON.--For Feb. 22. * * * * * PREPARED BY MARGUERITE COOK. * * * * * Title.--Faith Destroying Fear.--Luke 12:1-12. Golden Text.--Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God.--Luke 12: 8. _Beginners Golden Text._--_He careth for you._--1 Peter 5: 7. Truth.--Jesus claims as friends before the angels of God those who claim him before men. 1. The people loved to listen to Jesus as he taught them. [Illustration] 2. Sometimes they crowded so closely around him that they trod upon one another. 3. One day in a crowd like this Jesus spoke to his disciples quietly. 4. He warned them to beware of some of those in the crowd who would like to teach them things that were not true. [Illustration]