Little Robins Learning to Fly Read online

  "I'll chirp one, two, three," said his father, "and don't let me findyou here when I'm through."

  Dick, though very much afraid, was more than half inclined to venture.His father's threat of leaving him without food had terrified him; andthen he saw Jack in the enjoyment of plenty; but he could not quite makeup his mind to let go of the nest.

  "Chirp, chirp," cried his father. Dick trembled, and at last venturedto hop to the next bough; and before Mr. Robin had repeated the lastchirp, his mother went behind him and pushed him off.

  Poor Dick was awfully frightened; but before he had time to scream, hehad alighted safely at the foot of the tree.

  "O dear!" said he, straightening himself up with a braggadocio air."It's nothing at all. Here I am, safe and sound. I can fly now as wellas any bird."

  Jack flew from the lilac bush to congratulate him on his success. "Iknew you could fly, if you would only make the attempt," said he,kindly.

  "Of course I can fly," answered Dick. "I was not at all afraid. I sawyou wanted to alight first, and so I held back; that was all."

  At this answer Jack was very angry. He flew at his brother, and was justabout to pick him, when he remembered his promise to his mother tostrive for peace.

  "After all," said he, hopping away, "you are not worth quarrelling with.You are a wicked, lying bird."

  "It is now so late," said Mr. Robin to his wife, "I think we had betterfeed Molly and Katy, and eat our own breakfast, before I go to mycousin's family. When I come back, we will give our daughters theirlessons."

  They flew away first to the garden, when Mr. Robin stood a moment, aswas his custom, looking vacantly around. Suddenly he cocked his ear onone side, made a glancing sort of dart with his head and neck, gave oneor two little hops, then listened attentively, while his eye glistenedwith animation and intelligence. He held his beak close down to theground, then drew back his head and hopped once or twice; then, after amoment's pause to ascertain that all was right, he began to pick withall his might, and presently pulled out a fine worm, which his keensense of hearing informed him was not far off, and which his hops andpickings had brought to the surface to escape what the poor wormthought was his underground enemy, the mole.

  After having repeated this process many times, until Molly and Katy weresatisfied, Mr. and Mrs. Robin flew back to the yard, and alighted at thecottage door. Here they found the family assembled to watch the motionsof the young robins. Jack had grown very friendly with Annie, and hadeven ventured to hop up and rest on King's head.

  It was evident to all, that the dog was delighted with this mark offriendship, though he considered it beneath his dignity to take muchnotice of the little fellow.

  Dick appeared to be not so great a favorite. Fred and his sister hadoften watched him from the window, and had already given him the nameof the greedy bird. Now he acted consistently with that character, andseemed wholly occupied with the crumbs, hopping about and picking themup as fast as possible.

  Mrs. Robin tried to make an apology for him, at the same time callinghim to come forward and speak to his kind friends. But Dick could onlystop to bow awkwardly, and then return to his food again. Indeed, hemuch wondered how his parents and brother could wish to spend their timein talking, while there was such a feast spread out before them.

  "Now," said Mrs. Robin to Jack, "I must go back to your sisters--willyou go with me?"

  "I will," answered Jack. "I want to tell Katy what a fine time I havehad." So he turned up his head in a very arch way to Annie, and after afew pretty little chirps, flew lightly into the top of the lilac bush.

  Dick made no answer, and his mother determined to take no notice of him,but to let him return to the nest when he thought fit. She ascended tothe tree, where Jack alighted as soon as she did.

  His little heart panted with the excitement and exertion, but his motherpraised him, and his sisters received him with joy.

  CHAPTER V.

  SORROW IN THE NEST.

  "I do not think," said Molly, "that I shall ever learn to fly."

  "O, don't be afraid!" cried Jack, soothingly. "We'll all help you."

  "I am not afraid, but I cannot get away from the nest."

  "Why not?" asked Mrs. Robin, in surprise. "Why not?" repeated Jack andKaty.

  "Because my foot is fastened to the bottom of it," replied poor Molly,in a mournful tone.

  Her mother hopped to her side, and endeavored to remove a long piece ofworsted thread, which was woven into the nest, and was now firmlytwisted about Molly's leg.

  "How long has this been done?" she asked, in an anxious tone.

  "I first discovered it last night," said the patient bird. "Every timeI tried to stir, it bound me firmer than before. I have endeavered toremove it with my beak, but I think I have only made it worse. Now Ifear I can never learn to fly."

  "Dear Molly," said Jack, pressing his neck to hers.

  "I will stay in the nest with you," said the tender-hearted Katy.

  Mrs. Robin said nothing, but after flying to the top of the tree to seewhether her husband was in sight, she began to pull at the string; butevery motion made poor Molly utter a cry of pain.

  "I must be content to remain quietly in the nest," she faltered, in atouching tone of sadness.

  Jack and Katy began to chirp most piteously, and continued to do sountil their father returned.

  In the mean time Dick went on eating until he could scarcely move; andwhen he began to think it was time to return to the nest, he was soheavy and stupid that he could not raise his wings. He heard thecontinued chirping of his brother and sister, and said to himself,"Probably they are anxious about me; but I will let them see that I cantake care of myself."

  As he said this he tried to feel very brave, but he really longed forthe pleasant nest and the shelter of his mother's wings.

  Just then he heard the cockrel crowing right merrily. He had often heardit before; but now it sounded dreadfully loud and near at hand; andindeed it was so, for presently Mr. Cock came marching by, his headerect, and the comb on his foretop glowing like fire.

  Dick ran to the lilac bush, and trying to conceal himself in some ofthe lower branches, trembled like a leaf in the wind. Here at last hefell asleep, with his head tucked under his wing.

  When Mr. Robin returned from his labor of love, he found his wife andfamily in deep affliction. Poor Molly lay exhausted at the bottom of thenest, her limb being more firmly secured to it by the exertions of hermother to remove it. Jack and Katy kept up a succession of plaintivecries, while their mother hopped from one bough to another, her tailjerking and her wings flapping in distress.

  They all began at once to repeat the sad story of Molly's detention,which Mr. Robin listened to with sharp cries of pain. He hopped into thenest, but the poor bird begged so earnestly not to be disturbed atpresent, that he postponed trying to remove the string until anotherday.

  "Come, darlings," said he, "I will sing you a song, to try to cheer yourspirits."

  He flew to the Observatory at the top of the tree, and warbled forth,--

  "See, the morning lights the skies; Open, birdie, ope your eyes; The trees begin to blossom fair, And fling their odors on the air; And every balmy zephyr brings Health and sweetness on its wings. The plants within the garden beds Begin to lift their pretty heads. We, merry birds, extend our throats, And carol forth our sweetest notes. The hen, with all her little brood, Comes clucking round the door for food; Around the yard the pigeons fly; The stately geese, with heads so high, Are marching off to swim and scream, And sport upon the glassy stream. The fields are smiling all around; You cannot hear one jarring sound; There's nothing harsh, there's nothing sad, But all seems beautiful and glad. O, how delightful all we see! And if to robins, such as we, So much of loveliness is given, How very charming must be heaven!"

  CHAPTER VI.

  KATY'S FLIGHT.

  The next morning Molly felt quite refreshed. "My foot,
" she said, inanswer to her mother's inquiries, "feels quite free from pain. I amconvinced that it is my lot to remain quietly at home; and I will try tobear it as cheerfully as I can."

  "Dear Molly," whispered her mother.

  "Darling sister," repeated Jack and Katy.

  Dick said nothing, but looked stupidly from one to the other, wonderingwhat they could mean. He had returned to the nest late the previousevening, and had not heard of his sister's affliction.

  Mr. Robin sat on his favorite bough, gazing sadly at the poor bird. Hehad not yet tried to relieve her, and notwithstanding his wife's fears,indulged strong hopes of being able to remove the string withoutbreaking the tender limb.

  "I cannot be really unhappy," continued Molly, looking cheerfullyaround, "while you are all so kind. To be sure, I have longed for thetime when I could fly from bough to bough, or skim through the clearair; and I have hoped, when I was old enough, to find a mate and rear afamily of my own in the same sweet, peaceful happiness as our dearparents have reared us; but now I resign all these innocent joys, andfind my delight in sharing yours.

  "Come, dear Katy," she added, "let me no longer detain you from yourmorning flight. I long to see how gracefully you will raise your pinionsand soar away."

  "Sweetest and best of sisters," murmured Katy, in a loving tone, "everymoment I love you better than before, and am more sorry to leave you;"and she nestled closely to Molly's side.

  "You will soon return, dear one," said her sister, tenderly; "andremember there will always be one heart in the nest that will welcomeyou with joy. Go now, love, and treasure up all you hear and see, tocheer me in my solitude."

  While this beautiful interchange of affection was taking place, Mr. andMrs. Robin, the delighted parents, were sitting near, their hearts everymoment swelling with pleasure.

  "Now," said the tender mother to herself, "I am well repaid for all mycare and watchfulness of my beloved children; for all my share of thelabor of building a nest; for the long days and nights, through cold andrain, that I have sheltered my eggs, until at last I have seen the dearones come forth.

  "Yes, indeed, and for the anxiety with which I have endeavored toimpress virtue and affection upon their young minds. To see them growingup in the interchange of mutual affection, and to hear them giveutterance to pure and noble sentiments, far exceed all the joys of mylifetime."

  One thought of Dick, as unlike the others, intruded itself upon hermind; but she would not allow this to interrupt the delight she hadexperienced.

  Very similar were the thoughts and emotions of Mr. Robin, but mingledwith them was a plan he was forming for the benefit of his dear child.His purpose was to attract to his nest the notice of some kind friend atthe cottage. If he could succeed in this, he was perfectly confidentthat she could be liberated.

  But now his attention must be given to Katy, who, in obedience to hersister's wish, hopped to the side of the nest.

  "O, dear!" she chirped; "it seems a very long way to the ground."

  "It's just nothing at all," said Dick, spreading his wings and flyingaway.

  "I know just how you feel," added Jack; "but it is really safe, or ourparents would not allow us to try it;--and only think what delightfulsails we will have through the bracing air. Come, dear; now we'llstart."

  "Steady, my little one," called out Mr. Robin. "Open your wings likethis. There, that is right; now let go the nest. One moment more, andyou'll be safe on the ground."

  "Bravo! pretty bird, bravo!" shouted Fred, who had that moment openedthe outer door. "That was well done for a beginner. Come, hop up thisway, and I'll give you some crumbs."

  "Chirp, chirp, chirp," answered little Katy, her bright eyes twinklingwith pleasure.

  Fred darted into the house, and presently returned with a liberal supplyof food.

  Mr. Robin caught up the largest piece just as Dick was hopping towardit, and ascended with it to the nest.

  "O, ho!" exclaimed Fred, "I suppose there are more birdies in the tree."

  "Yes," said Annie, who had run to the door in her night dress, "you knowwe counted four little mites of robins."

  "O, don't let that greedy bird get all the best crumbs!" she added, asDick hopped from one piece of bread to another, catching them up asfast as he could.

  "Just see how pretty those act," said Fred, pointing to Jack and Katy.

  "Yes, he stands back to give her a chance, but the greedy one cares fornone but himself."

  CHAPTER VII.

  MR. ROBIN'S APPEAL.

  When the tender parents had finished their willing task of feedingMolly, they hopped forward close to the very door of the cottage, andseeing the old gentleman sitting in the room, Mr. Robin made bold towalk in and make known his errand.

  "I wonder what he is talking about, so very loud and earnest,"exclaimed Fred, coming in softly behind him.

  "I don't know; but he is very zealous about it. See how he turns firstone eye, then the other, while he twitters away as if his life dependedupon making us understand."

  Suddenly robin uttered a sharp cry, and flew away toward the nest; andbefore they could express their surprise, he was back again, twitteringas fast as ever.

  Fred laughed aloud. "How very funny!" he cried. "What does it mean? Henever did so before."

  "I have no doubt he is trying to tell us something; and I fear it is notpleasant news, from his mournful cry."

  "I wish we could understand," said the boy.

  "I once read of a man," said grandpa, "who, from his boyhood, hadstudied the language of birds, and by close attention had acquired sucha knowledge of it, that from the song of the parents, he knew where thenests were situated, whether they contained eggs, or whether the broodwas hatched. He knew even the number of young birds and their age,before he saw them. This is truly wonderful, and if I had not read itfrom the best authority, I could hardly credit it. If so, I suppose, bycareful observation, we could in many cases understand their differentnotes, and thus learn their wants and emotions, as well as the birdsthemselves do.

  "I was once walking in a wood, and caught sight of a party of jaysbefore they saw me. They were all chattering together and enjoyingthemselves highly. Suddenly one of them uttered a short, deep-tonednote, when in an instant all was silent,--and they skulked one by oneto a neighboring thicket."

  "I suppose one of them caught a glimpse of you, and warned the othersthat you were near enough to listen to their secrets," said Fred, with ahearty laugh.

  Grandpa now took his cane and walked to the door, determined, as theappeal was made to him, to watch the motions of the robins, and try tohelp them if they were in trouble.

  But though Mr. Robin kept repeating his flight to the nest, and hiseffort to talk, nothing could be made of it; and at length the poorfather seemed to despair.

  In the mean time, Jack, Katy and Annie were chatting merrily together;and before this first interview closed, Katy had even ventured to take acrumb from Annie's mouth. This the child thought the very summit ofhappiness, and called loudly to her mother to come and share herdelight.

  Jack was evidently very proud of his sister; and while this was goingon, hopped from one to the other, his small head cocked in a very archmanner.

  After a time the little ones hopped away, as they wished to fly back tothe nest. Katy was quite impatient to impart her success to her sister;but when she glanced up into the tree, she was almost in despair.

  "Fly up a few times into this bough," said Jack. "It is beautifulexercise."

  Katy did so, and presently, with a beating heart, from the bush mountedto the nest.

  "O Molly!" she cried, "if you had been with us, I should have been thehappiest bird that ever lived."

  "How like her mother she grows!" said Mr. Robin to himself as he gazedlovingly upon his youngest child.

  "Every time I picked up a crumb I thought of you," said Jack--"of youalone here in the nest."

  "I have scarcely been alone a moment," said Molly. "Either father ormother has been with m
e, and they have treated me to a delicious feast.I shall soon become quite reconciled to my situation. But where isDick?"

  "He is eating, as usual," said Mr. Robin, in a stern voice.

  Jack and Katy now repeated the adventures of the morning, to which theirsister listened with great interest.

  "I can't help thinking about Mr. Robin," said grandpa, taking his caneand walking out of doors as soon as breakfast was over. "Birds have awonderful instinct; and I have no doubt he was asking my aid aboutsomething. They will often fly to man for protection when pursued by anenemy."

  "I wish you would tell us a story about a bird," said Annie, earnestly.

  The old gentleman seated himself in his chair, and after resting hischin on the top of his cane for a moment, he began: "A beautiful pair ofgoldfinches once built their nest on a small branch of an olive tree.The female laid the eggs and hatched the young brood, when the parentsperceived that the weight of the growing family would soon be too greatfor the strength of the branch which supported the nest. This fact wasevident to the family who lived near, and had watched with interest theproceedings of the birds.

  "One morning the goldfinches found their nest was giving way, and thatsomething must be done at once, or it would fall. They consultedtogether, then picked up a string, and with their beaks drew it aroundthe slender twig, and then fastened it to a stronger and higher branchof the tree. Thus they saved their falling house."