"Indeed," said Tommy, "that is very surprising; for I thought all birds had flown away whenever a man came near them, and that even the fowls which are kept at home would never let you touch them." _Mr B._--And what do you imagine is the reason of that? _T._--Because they are wild. _Mr B._--And what is a fowl's being wild? _T._--When he will not let you come near him. _Mr B._--Then a fowl is wild because he will not let you come near him. This is saying nothing more than that when a fowl is wild he will not let you approach him. But I want to know what is the reason of his being wild. _T._--Indeed, sir, I cannot tell, unless it is because they are naturally so. _Mr B._--But if they were naturally so, this fowl could not be fond of Harry. _T._--That is because he is so good to it. _Mr B._--Very likely. Then it is not natural for an animal to run away from a person that is good to him? _T._--No, sir; I believe not. _Mr B._--But when a person is not good to him, or endeavours to hurt him, it is natural for an animal to run away from him, is it not? _T._--Yes. _Mr B._--And then you say he is wild, do you not? _T._--Yes, sir. _Mr B._--Why, then, it is probable that animals are only wild because they are afraid of being hurt, and that they only run away from the fear of danger. I believe you would do the same from a lion or a tiger. _T._--Indeed I would, sir. _Mr B._--And yet you do not call yourself a wild animal? Tommy laughed heartily at this, and said No. "Therefore," said Mr Barlow, "if you want to tame animals, you must be good to them, and treat them kindly, and then they will no longer fear you, but come to you and love you." "Indeed," said Harry, "that is very true; for I knew a little boy that took a great fancy to a snake that lived in his father's garden; and, when he had the milk for breakfast, he used to sit under a nut tree and whistle, and the snake would come to him and eat out of his bowl." _T._--And did it not bite him? _H._--No; he sometimes used to give it a pat with his spoon, if it ate too fast; but it never hurt him.