The next day the farmer came again. The sun was hotter and the wheat was

riper.

"There is not an hour to be lost," said the farmer to his son. "We cannot be sure of our neighbors' help. Go and ask your uncles and cousins to help us to-morrow."

"Oh, Mother, Mother!" cried the little Larks. "You must take us away now. The farmer's son has gone to ask his uncles and cousins to help cut the wheat to-morrow."

"Do not be afraid," said the Mother Bird. "The uncles and cousins have their own wheat to cut first. They will not come to-morrow."

The next day the farmer came as before

to the field. The wheat was falling to the ground because it was over ripe.

The farmer said, "We cannot wait any longer for our neighbors and cousins. We must cut the wheat ourselves to-morrow."

Then the Mother Lark said, "Now we must fly away. The wheat will be cut tomorrow, for the farmer and his son are going to do the work themselves.'

So the five little Larks stood on the edge of the nest. They spread their wings, which had now grown stronger, and flew away.

The next morning the farmer found an empty lark's nest in the corner of his wheat field.

If bees stay at home,
Rain will soon come;
If they fly away,

-Aesop

Fine will be the day.

-Old Rhyme

I'LL TRY

Two Robin Red-breasts built their nest

Within a hollow tree;

The hen sat quietly at home,

The cock sang merrily;

And all the little young ones said,

"Wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee.”

One day the sun was warm and bright
And shining in the sky,

Cock Robin said, "My little dears,
'Tis time you learn to fly;"
And all the little young ones said,
"I'll try, I'll try, I'll try.”

I know a child, and who she is
I'll tell you by-and by,

When mamma says "Do this," or "that,"
She says, "What for?" and "Why?"

She'd be a better child by far

If she would say, "I'll try."

MARY HAD A PRETTY BIRD

Mary had a pretty bird,

Feathers bright and yellow,
Slender legs, upon my word,
He was a pretty fellow.

The sweetest notes he always sung,
Which much delighted Mary,
And often where the cage was hung,
She stood to hear Canary.

-Mother Goose

THE OLD WOMAN AND HER PIG

Once upon a time an old woman was sweeping her little house, when, to her great joy, she found a silver sixpence.

"What shall I do with this sixpence?" she said.

"I shall go to market and buy

me a white pig."