by Oliver Optic
Then both Mr. and Mrs. Bird had to fly away to seek their own breakfast,and to bring some to the children. You never saw such hungry babies!They kept their parents busy all the day long, bringing them food. Theyweren't very polite to each other, either, those baby birds. They wouldcrowd and push, and almost send each other out of the nest, trying toget every morsel, instead of each waiting his own turn to be fed. Butthen, they were only birds and did not know any better.
Day after day, they were fed by their parents. Night after night, theywere kept warm under Mrs. Bird's wings. No wonder those baby birds soongrew big and strong. They were ever so much prettier when they grew bigenough to wear feathers.
Soon, one little bird felt so strong, that he said he wanted to flyaway, too, and see what the ground and other trees were like.
"Not to-day," Mrs. Bird told him. "Wait until your wings are a wee bitstronger, and then I'll teach you to fly."
When both Mr. and Mrs. Bird had flown away, this same little bird saidto his brothers: "It seems quite easy to fly; all you need to do is toflap your wings. I think I'll try it alone."
"You had better not!" the others told him.
"Yes, I will," the little bird said.
He hopped to the edge of the nest, and began to flap his wings. He didnot quite dare to raise his feet, though, for he felt rather timid whenhe looked down and saw how far away the ground seemed to be. But heflapped his wings so vigorously, pretending to fly, that he lost hisbalance and fell. He was not hurt, for the grass was tall and soft, buthe was greatly frightened, and cried out for his mother.
Mrs. Bird was too far away to hear him, but a little girl did. Shepicked him up very gently, and ran to show him to her father.
"Look at this cunning little bird which I have found! May I keep it formine?" she asked him.
"No," said her father. "See, it is only a baby bird, which has fallenfrom its nest, and is crying for its mother. Show me where you found it;perhaps I can reach the nest if we can discover it among the leaves."
The little girl pointed out the tree to her father. He placed a ladderagainst it, and, climbing up, was able to drop the little bird into itshome.
In a few days Mr. and Mrs. Bird were ready to teach all their babiesto fly.
"Come on," they said, "spread your wings, jump into the air, and flyjust a little way, to that other limb of the tree."
Three of the little birds obeyed at once, and reached the resting placein safety. But the fourth little bird was afraid to try, because he hadfallen before.
"Don't be a coward," urged his father and mother. "You fell beforebecause your wings were not strong enough to bear you up, but now youwill have no trouble."
The little bird wouldn't budge.
The parent birds knew it was time for him to learn, so they pushed thefoolish little fellow out of the nest, and watched him spread his wings,and flutter to the ground. There he found more courage, and after awhile he flew up to join his brothers on the tree.
"I was sitting at my window," Mother told Johnnie Jones, "and saw it allhappen. Of course I can't understand the language of birds, and I am notsure I have repeated exactly what the parent birds said to the babies,or what the babies said to each other, but only what they seemed to say.Anyway, everything happened as I have told you."
"Soon the babies could fly nearly as well and as far as the old birds,and after that the little nest was left quite empty, rocked by the windin the old tree top."
* * * * *
The Coming of Little Brother
Almost all of the children who attended the kindergarten where JohnnieJones spent his mornings, had a baby brother or sister at home. Theyspoke of "their babies" so often and enjoyed so much making presents totake them, that Johnnie Jones wished for a baby at his house, and talkedto Mother about it.
One night, Mother said she had a secret to tell him. He was glad, for heliked to have secrets with Mother, who told him a great many, because hecould keep them so well.
"It is the most beautiful secret in all the world," Mother said."Spring-time is coming very fast, and next month, when the trees and theflowers wake up because winter is over and gone, a dear little baby iscoming to live with us."
"Oh! Mother dear, I am so glad!" said Johnnie Jones. "But why does thebaby wait so long? I want him this very day."
"Dear," Mother answered, "the baby is still fast asleep, just as thelittle flower buds are, and we must watch and wait until he comes. Itwill not be very long, little son, and then how happy we'll be, you andFather and I!"
"At first the baby will be too small and helpless to play, and will needhis big brother to take care of him so that he may grow tall and strong.Then, by and by, he will be able to run about and talk, and play withyou. But always, always, he will need you to help him, and teach him,and care for him."
After that evening, when Mother had whispered the beautiful secret tohim, Johnnie Jones would ask her each day: "Will our baby wake up andcome tomorrow?" But Mother could not tell him, so they just waited, andmade ready, day after day.
At last one bright, warm morning when Johnnie Jones awoke, he saw Fatherbending down over his bed with such a happy face that he asked at once:"Has our baby waked up and come?"
"Yes," Father answered, "there is a Little Brother in Mother's room, andshe says she can't wait any longer to show him to you."
Johnnie Jones was very much excited and, as soon as possible, he tiptoedinto Mother's room. Father had asked him to be very quiet.
"Come here, dear," Mother said, "I have been waiting such a long timefor you." She drew him down beside her, and showed him a tiny baby boyno larger than a doll.
As Johnnie Jones leaned down to see, the Little Brother opened his eyeswide, and looked at him. Johnnie Jones was too happy to say a word. Hesat down close to the bed, and Father placed the baby in his arms.Johnnie Jones held him very carefully, so that he might not hurt him orlet him fall.
"He is your Little Brother," Mother said softly, "your Little Brother tolove and take care of all your life. You will always remember that,won't you?"
And Johnnie Jones always did.
* * * * *
Little Brother and Johnnie Jones
Little brother was a merry baby with a smile for everyone. Soon he wasold enough to be on the floor with Johnnie Jones, and to build houses ofblocks, and play with the toys. He learned to walk very early, when hewas less than a year old. Then indeed, he kept the family busy, guardinghim from harm.
One day he found the sharp scissors, which Johnnie Jones had to takeaway very quickly before he could cut himself. Another day he tried toeat a paper of pins, and Johnnie Jones had to run very fast to reach himin time. That one baby kept Father and Mother, Johnnie Jones and Maggie,all busy, because he was too young to know that some things aredangerous for babies to have.
Sometimes, because he was too little to know any better, he objected tohaving the scissors, or knives, or cookies, taken away. Then what do yousuppose he would do? He would run straight to Johnnie Jones and pull hishair! He always seemed to feel happier after that.
It hurts to have one's hair pulled, but Johnnie Jones seldom cried orwas cross with the baby. He would just laugh and run away when he sawhim coming for his hair. Besides, that bad habit did not last long, andyou may be sure that Johnnie Jones was glad when it was broken!
The first word the baby learned to say after "Mama" was "Buddy," and hemeant Johnnie Jones. He knew when it was time for the big boy to comehome from kindergarten, and he would stand at the window watching forhim. As soon as he saw him coming he would wave his hand, and run to thesteps to meet him. Then they would have a romp. Their favorite game was"I Spy."
One day they were playing "I Spy," and Little Brother was hiding.Usually it was very easy to find him, because his favorite hiding placewas the nearest corner. But this time he wasn't there when Johnnie Joneslooked, nor anywhere in the room or hall.
"Where can he be?" Johnn
ie Jones asked Mother.
She came to help him. They called the baby but heard no answer. Thenthey began to be worried and looked in every room. Suddenly they heard agreat splash in the bath-tub. They ran into the bathroom, and there theyfound the baby.
Little Brother had forgotten he was playing "I Spy." He had wanderedinto the bath-room, and climbing on a chair dropped the soap into thetub which was full of water. Then, very soon, he dropped himself in,too! That was the splash the others had heard.
Mother and Johnnie Jones lifted him out, wet as he could be, and verymuch frightened.
"You dear little rascal!" exclaimed Johnnie Jones. "Didn't you know youcouldn't swim?"
"It certainly is a good thing," Mother said, "that he has a big brotherto take care of him."
* * * * *
Elizabeth with the Children
One day Elizabeth came over to spend the afternoon with Johnnie Jones,who was very glad to see her.
"Let's play horse," suggested Johnnie Jones. "I have a new pair of reinswith bells on them."
"No, I don't want to play horse," Elizabeth said. "I want to play "ISpy," and I want to hide. You must find me."
"All right!" answered Johnnie Jones.
But as soon as it was Johnnie Jones's turn to hide, and Elizabeth's tofind him, she decided that she would rather play fire-engine. "I'll bethe fireman and put out the fire with your real little hose, and you bethe horse and engine," she said.
"All right," Johnnie Jones answered again.
After they had extinguished several fires, Elizabeth said: "Now we'llplay grocery-store, and I'll be the man who keeps it. We'll borrow someapples and potatoes from the cook, and you come to buy them."
"No," said Johnnie Jones this time, "I'll be the grocery man, and youthe lady who comes to buy."
"I won't play if I mayn't be the storekeeper," threatened Elizabeth.
"But that's not fair," said Johnnie Jones. "You have chosen every game,and have taken the best part in each one for yourself. Now it is my turnto choose."
"I'll go home if you won't let me be the grocery man," Elizabeth toldhim.
"No," he answered, "because that's not a fair way to play."
Then Elizabeth left him. She did not go home, however, but just nextdoor to Katherine's house. She found Katherine and Mary at home, playingwith their dolls.
As soon as the little girls saw Elizabeth, they said: "You can't playwith us unless you play the right way. You can't be Mother all thetime."
"Well, if you won't let me play my way, I won't play at all," saidElizabeth, and ran on until she came to Sarah's house.
Sarah, Tom and Ned were jumping rope, and they called out to Elizabeth:"You can't play with us unless you will turn the rope part of the time."
"I don't like to turn, I like to jump," Elizabeth complained. But whenshe realized that she would not be allowed to jump until she firstturned the rope for the others, she left these children too, and wentnext door to visit Sammy Smith.
That little boy and Susie were playing with a big wagon. They askedElizabeth to play with them, and because they were courteous littlechildren, and she was their visitor, they permitted her to take thefirst ride, and pretended that they were two strong horses hitched toher carriage. When they were tired, they told Elizabeth that it wastime for her to become a horse and let one of them ride.
"No," said Elizabeth, "I like to ride better than to pull the wagon."
"We won't let you ride any longer," they answered, "because it's yourturn to play that you are a horse."
"Then I'll go home," she said, and this time she did.
"What is the matter?" asked her mother.
"The children won't play the way I want them to, and I don't like themany more because I think they are unkind," she answered. "I wish I couldgo to fairy-land and be a princess, or else that I were a grown-uplady."
"Even grown-up ladies and princesses cannot always have their own way,"her mother said.
Elizabeth stood at the window and looked out across the street. Most ofthe children had gathered there in front of Johnnie Jones's house, andwere jumping rope. Elizabeth could hear them counting, and laughing, andtalking. She began to feel very lonely. At last she put on her hat againand ran back to join the children.
"If you will let me play with you," she said, "I'll play anything youlike."
"All right!" they answered, "and sometimes we'll play what you like."
"And I won't always ask for the best part any more," she said.
"You may have the part you like when it is your turn to choose," theytold her.
"I'll turn the rope now," Elizabeth added.
"You turn until some one trips," the others answered.
Elizabeth spent the remainder of the afternoon with the children, whowere glad to have her because she played fair. Elizabeth herself wasvery happy. She was even glad that she wasn't a princess or a grown-uplady; glad that she was just a little girl who had learned to play withother children.
* * * * *
Johnnie Jones and the Hoop-Rolling Club
One day, all the children of the neighborhood decided to form ahoop-rolling club. Each child was to buy a hoop and decorate it withbells and ribbons. Then, every Saturday morning, all of them were to goto the park and have a procession. They were to try their best to turnsquare corners, to roll their hoops in a straight line, and to keep themfrom falling down. No matter where they rolled them, up hill or downhill, over smooth ground or rough, they were not to let the hoops fall.
The one who could do all these things the best was to be the captain andlead the procession wherever he wished. He could go swiftly or slowly,just as he liked, and all the rest were to follow in the same manner.The captain was to remain captain only so long as he could roll his hoopbetter than anyone else in the club.
The children were delighted with their plan, and ran to the shop to buythe hoops.
All except poor little Johnnie Jones! He was not quite as old as theothers, and he could not manage a hoop. He had tried to roll onebelonging to Sammy Smith, one day, but he had been unable to prevent itsfalling down every time he struck it. Of course he wanted to join theclub, and he asked Mother what she thought he had better do.
Mother went with him to the grocery-store, and bought a small hoop, muchsmaller than Sammy Smith's. Then she told Johnnie Jones that no onecould teach him to roll it. "You must just try and try until yousucceed, little boy," she said.
Johnnie Jones tried, all the way home, but he was as unsuccessful withthe new hoop as he had been with Sammy Smith's old one. The otherchildren watched him, but they did not know how to help him, much asthey wished to do so. One big boy was rude enough to laugh at him,which hurt his feelings so much that he went out into his back yard topractise. There he tried, and tried again, until he was very tired.
Every day while the other children were decorating their hoops or wereplaying together, Johnnie Jones would practise all alone in the backyard, where no one could see him. He tried so hard that at last hesucceeded in rolling his hoop from the porch to the gate without lettingit fall a single time. He was greatly encouraged then, but he had tocontinue practising, because he could not even yet guide the hoop verywell, and he could not turn corners at all.
When Saturday came, he went to the park to watch the first procession.It was a very pretty sight, for the hoops had been decorated with brightribbons, and with bells which made a merry tinkling sound. Ned was thecaptain, as he was the oldest and could manage his hoop most skilfully.He led the children through the park, stopping now and then for breath.Whenever anyone dropped his hoop, he had to go to the end of the line,for that was the rule of the club.
All the next week Johnnie Jones worked very hard, learning to guide hishoop in a straight line, and to turn corners. He went to the park topractise now, so that he might have more room.
Mother watched him every day, and after a while she told him that he hadbecome quite skilful
enough to join the club. Then he was very happy,and began to decorate his hoop with the bright pink ribbon and shiningbrass bells which Mother had bought for him.
The next Saturday morning, Johnnie Jones took his hoop with him when hewent to the park with the other children, all of whom were glad to hearthat he had learned to roll it.
"But you had better be last in the procession," they told him, "because,most likely, you can't manage it very well yet."
They did not know how hard he had worked.
When the procession started off, Johnnie Jones kept up with the otherchildren. Not once did he let his hoop fall, and he made it go sostraight, and turned such square corners, that, presently, the childrennoticed how well he was doing.
"Well, look at little Johnnie Jones!" they said. "He can roll his hoopbetter than anyone here, even better than Ned!"
After they had watched him for a while, they decided he must be theircaptain, until Ned, or one of the other children had learned to dobetter than he.
Then Johnnie Jones was the proudest, happiest little boy in the wholeworld, as he led the procession through the park.
Then Johnnie Jones was the proudest, happiest littleboy--]
* * * * *
The Fire at Johnnie Jones's House
One night, while Father was away from home on a business trip, Motherand Johnnie Jones and Little Brother were fast asleep in their beds.Jack had been asleep too, down-stairs in the front hall, but now he waswide awake. He stood up, put back his ears, and sniffed the air. Then heran quickly up the stairs to Johnnie Jones's room, stood outside hisdoor, and whined, That did not waken anyone, so he barked.