_Tenth Sparrow._--There! Fly away, all of you! Fly away! You have said enough. I am ashamed of you all. You ought to know better than to be revengful. You are quite as bad as boys and men. _Fifth Sparrow._--Grandfather is getting to be abusive. Let us fly off. Good-by, Pussy! Pull away! ALFRED SELWYN. THE BIRDS AND THE POND-LILY. [Illustration] FOUR little birds came out to greet The first pond-lily, so fair and sweet, The first that opened its petals white To the wooing breeze and the golden light. They flew around, then sat on the tree, And sang, "You are sweet as sweet can be: O dear Pond-lily! we do not jest: Now, which of us all do you love best?" Pond-lily spoke not, but, instead, Dipped in the water her beautiful head, As much as to say, "I'm well content In this my own pure element." The birds they sang in their very best style, But got no answer, not even a smile; For Pond-lily knew it was safest and best To keep where she was, on the wave's cool breast, And never to listen to flattering words From idle suitors and wandering birds. EMILY CARTER. EDWIN'S DOVES. [Illustration] EDWIN has two doves. They were given to him by his uncle. He has a nice little house for them. There are two doors in it, where they go in and out. In front of the doors there is a shelf, on which they perch. [Illustration] The doves are free to go where they please; but they always come home at night. They are quite tame. Sometimes they fly up to Edwin's window, and light on the sill. They tap on the pane to let him know they are hungry. [Illustration] Then he opens the window, and feeds them. He gives them corn, crumbs of bread, and sometimes oats. They like the corn best. One of them is rather apt to be greedy; and both get so much to eat that they are very plump and fat. Here are the doves looking at the turkeys. They do not know what to make of such birds. W. O. C. [Illustration] [Illustration] THE LITTLE FORTUNE-SEEKERS. YOUNG as Alan was, he had heard from his uncle Paul many a story about people seeking their fortune: so, one fine summer day, he set off with his brother Owen and his sister Amy a-fortune-seeking. Alan carried a stick; and Amy had a little basket on her arm. Alan led the way, telling Owen and Amy to keep close to him, and to fear nothing. As they passed by Lakin's pond, a duck gave a loud quack; when they came to the great ash-tree, a bee buzzed by them: but neither the quacking nor the buzzing frightened the bold Alan; and on he went, holding up his stick.