Freddy’s Lesson.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXII, 31 May 1902, Page 1113

Freddy’s Lesson.

Freddy Burton was the terror of all the birds for miles around. Sad was the fate of any feathered songster who chanced to come within range of his dreaded catapult; its joyous notes were silenced for ever, and the confiding couples who ventured to build their nests in any part of Freddy’s garden paid dearly for their rashness; Freddy was sure to discover their whereabouts, and then woe betide them. He had mercy upon their helplessness; their pretty homes were destroyed, their beloved eggs torn from them, and the unhappy parents themselves compel to fly for their lives. Such was the state of affairs when one afternoon Freddy, on the lookout as usual for some wretched little victim, wandered into the wood beyond his garden, and proceeded to set a birdtrap under a tree. Whilst he was thus busily engaged, he heard a tremendous twittering and chirping, a mighty rush of wings—and, before he had time to turn round, he felt himself lifted bodily into the air and carried off at lightning speed. He was in the clutch of an enormous hawk, whilst a throng of birds followed him with no friendly in-

teutions, as he at onee discovered. He shrieked for help, but his cries were drowned in the clamour of the birds around him. who hissed and hooted at him. ami jieeked his arms and legs unmercifully. Soon Freddy beheld a strange sight--a huge bird-cage slung to the topmost branch of what must surely have been the tallest tree in the wood. The hawk opened the cagedoor and pushed Freddy inside with scant ceremony, whilst the other birds gathered round their miserable captive and began to talk all at once. “Monster!” shrieked one. “How do

you like being in a cage yourself?” “Where are my eggs?” demanded another, peeking viciously at Freddy through the bars. “Where are my father and mother?*’ viied an indignant fledgling. Then all the rest joined in accusing him: and. alas! what could Freddy say? He sat. huddled up on his extremely uncomfortable perch, feeling dreadfully frightened, and very much ashamed of himself. At last he cried out. “Oh. if you will only forgive me and let me go. I will never harm any of you again!”

At these words the bars of the cage suddenly melted away, the birds vanished. crying. “Remember your promise!” and Freddy found himself alone in the tree. He elimbed down as quickly as possible. and ran home as fast as his legs could carry him to set free an unhappy thrush that he had caught ami eaged two days previously. Freddy experienced a new feeling ot happiness as he watched it fly joyfully away: ami from that day henceforth he became the friend and protector of all animals, and especially of birds.

CHARLOTTE OGILVIE.