Every morning, the little bird would fly to the parrot's perch; and there it would sit almost all day by the side of its great friend. Sometimes the parrot would raise his unchained claw, and the sparrow would perch upon it. Jacquot,--that was the parrot's name,--holding the sparrow at the end of his claw, would turn his head on one side, and gaze fondly on the little bird, which would flap its wings in answer to this sign of friendship. Then Jacquot would slide down to his food-tin, as if to invite the sparrow to share his breakfast. Once the parrot was ill for some days. He did not eat: he trembled with fever, and looked very sad. The sparrow tried in vain to cheer him up. Then the little bird flew out into the garden, and soon returned, holding in his beak some blades of grass. The parrot with great effort managed to eat them. The sparrow kept him supplied with grass; and in a few days he was cured. Once, when the sparrow was hopping about on the grassplot near the parrot's perch, a cat sprang out from some bushes. At this sight, Jacquot raised a loud cry, and broke his chain to fly to the aid of his friend. The cat ran away in terror; and the little bird was saved. [Illustration] UNCLE CHARLES. THAT FOX! A LITTLE gray fox Had a home in the rocks, And most of his naps and his leisure took there; But, one frosty eve, He decided to leave, And for a short absence began to prepare. A letter he wrote; And he brushed up his coat; And he shook out his tail, which was plumy and fine: At first break of day He galloped away, At some distant farm-house intending to dine. How gay he did look, As he frisked to the brook, And gazed at himself in the water so clear! He looked with delight At the beautiful sight; For all was so perfect, from tail-tip to ear! That noon, our gray fox Called on good Farmer Knox, Where some of the fattest of poultry was kept, And, sly as a mouse, Lay in wait by the house; Or, peeping and watching, he stealthily crept. He felt very sure He should shortly secure A fat little chicken, or turkey, or goose; And his eyes were as bright As the stars are at night, As he tried to decide which his foxship should choose. [Illustration]