No More Learning

Blutky Winky was a little gray owl that lived
in the plum tree at the meeting of the cross-
roads. He slept all day, and at night perched on
one of the branches and greeted the wagons as
they went by with a low "Whoo! Whoo! " He
did not mean to be inquisitive, only pleasant and
friendly, at least that is what he used to do, but
now he has grown very quiet and solemn, and
heeds not the wagons as they go rumbling by.
The lark had been the cause of all the trouble.
In the early spring she had come to live across
the road from Blinky, and her song, so sweet
and clear, filled his whole heart with wonder
and awe. ^T. i the lark can sing,'' thought
Blinlvy, "why can't I? " And he tried to throw
back his head and pour forth the same sweet
tones, but this was impossible with his short, fat
neck, smd his mightiest effort was of no avail.
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? The Dissatisfied Owl.
37
So day bj day Blinkj grew sadder and sadder,
but still tbe lark sang on, not knowing what mi-
happiness she brought to poor silly Winky-
:j|
One night he left his home, more miserable
than ever, and perched himself upon the
fence rail to brood over his troubles. It
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? jS The Dissatisfied Owl.
was a bright moonlight night, and the owl
family that lived in the apple tree saw
Blinky Winky sitting all alone, and started
off, one after the other, to bring him home
with them. Such a doleful bird as they
found. It was a long while before Blinky would
tell them his secret, but once started, he poured
forth his whole sad tale. They pitied and they
? ? olded him, and their scolding did him good,
for when morning dawned, and it was time to
go home, they had led him to see the folly of his
ways and to resolve to try to be satisfied with
himself, and not aim to be like somebody else.
He learned, after spending many unhappy days
and weary nights, that God had not made his
little throat in such a manner that he could sing.
Tt was a good lesson for him and all his brothers
and Fosters. Perhaps little boys and girls can
learn something from this story of the dissatis-
fied owl, and it is this: "Don't think you can
do everytliing you see other people doing;/'
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? Meddlesome Peter.
The Bear family lived together in as pretty a
place as you could well find. The trees grew
tall and large and spread their branches over the
earth, leaving only room enough for the sun to
creep gently through by day, and for the little
stars to twinkle brightly through at night. Ferns
tall and stately grew in this place, and delicate,
pale green ferns with the gentle blue-eyed violet
peeping from their midst, helped to beautify the
Bear family's dwelling place.
The Bruin household would have been just as
happy as Bears could be, if it had not been for
troublesome Peter. He was the oldest Bruin
cub and just as full of naughtiness as was possi-
ble, and his greatest fault was his meddlesome
ways. There was nothing into whic^i ^<> would
not poke his paws.
One day, while out on a ramble, he spied a
bright, shining steel trap. K'ow Peter had never
seen one before, and quick as a flash he grabbled
it up to learn all about it, and he soon found out
to his sorrow. Snap went the spring, and poor
Peter howled with pain. Fate was good to
Peter this time, for as he jumped around in his
39
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? 40 Meddlesome Peter.
fury, the spring gave away, and off came the
trap, leaving young Bruin, however, with as sore
a paw as ever you could guess.
JSTow, one would think that this experience
would prove a good lesson to Peter; but no
sooner had his paw gotten well than he had for-
gotten all about his encounter with the trap and
was at mischief again. Mother Bruin coaxed,
Father Bruin scolded. Peter always tried to do
better, but his memory usually proved too short,
and promises went for nothing. One bright
spring day he started off through the woods to
hunt for fun, as he called these foolish, pranks
with, which he was constantly dealing. He
chased the butterflies, hurled stones at the bop-
toads, and then sat down on the ground to eat
the wild cherries that had fallen from the thickly
laden boughs. 'Now Peter's eyes were always
wandering restlessly around, and all of a sudden
they rested on a big hollow in a tree close by.
^'That's a squirrel's house," thought Peter. "I
wonder if the little fellow has any nuts left over
from last winter; I'll go see, I guess. " With
Peter to think was to act, and he thrust his paw
away down deep in the hollow. Peter had found
something, but not nuts. The bees had discov-
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? Meddlesome Peter. 41
ered tJiis place first and were using it as thedr
storo-HoTlse for honey, i^ow Peter's intrusion
vas not to tlieir liking, and their sharp little
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? 42 Poor, Sick Bruin.
stings soon told him so. They swarmed all
around Mm, until lie felt as if he were covered
with them, and the faster he ran, the more they
chased him. He could neither run away, nor
hide from them. 'Not until he was well punished
did they leave him, tingling with pain, but re-
solved, we hope, to once more try to do better,
and not to meddle.
Poor, Sick Bruin.
Once upon a time, when Jack Frost had com-
menced to shake the leaves from the trees after
first painting them in bright crimson and glow-
ing yellow, and some in dull russet brown, Mr.
Bruin fell sick. He had been to a dance in the
Kingston Woods. Miss Bunny had invited him,
and old Bruin had thought her the bright<<<t,
cunningest little creature he had met for mai y
a lo-ng day. Of course she was too tiny for him
to dance with, but he sat and chatted with her,
which he really thought was much pleasanter,
at least he had thought so at the time, but now
he was paying for his frolic. The ground had
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? Poor, Sick Bruin. 43
been too damp and cold, and tlie chill winds had
gotten into his bones, and he was the most mis-
erable f elloTV yon could possibly find. **'0 dear,"
thought he, "why was I so silly. Well might I
have known what folly it was to leave my good
warm home, and spend all those honrs out in th<<
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? 44 Poor, Sick Bruin.
cliill mght air. " But it was too late to sit and
grumble over follies that have been committed,
so Bruin wrapped himself in a green plaid shawl,
tied up his head in a red and white handkerchief,
and sat to wait for Dr. "Wolf to pass along. Dr.
Wolf had been called to pay a visit to a little
sick guinea-pig, and his way led him past old
Bruin's house. Bruin saw him, called to him,
and the doctor came trotting in. He took off
his tall black hat, laid it on the table, put on
his glasses, and prepared to examine his patient.
The doctor felt his pulse, shook his head, and
then looked at his tongue. "Oh, ho! mj friend,"
said he, "you have caught a cold, that is certain;
but, my good fellow, I am afraid there is some-
thing more. I fear that you feast too much upon
the dainties of the land. Your larder seems well
filled with tempting food, but if you take my
advice you will leave this alone for awhile, and
content yourself with a good big bowl of mush
and milk. You have a very high fever, and if
you eat of such rich food you will surely die. . 1
am going to put you to bed, and you must not
get up for a week; you are getting along in
years, so you must take extra care of yourself.
I shall leave you some pills to take every hour,
? ^^
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? The Squirrel's Visitor 45
unless you are asleep. I shall be passing here
again in the morning, and will drop in to see
jou. I hope to find vou much better. '^ Then
the doctor went away, leaving Bruin a sadder
and wiser bear and resolved in the future to tr)'
to live more sim^^ly, and to let his poorer neigh-
bors share the dainties that had proved his foe.
The Squirrel's Visitor.
In the Maple Woods, just outside the town,
lived an old gray squirrel. He was a big squirrel
and just as fat as butter. One time, long ago,
he had been caught in a rat-trap, and his leg
pretty badly torn. A bright-eyed, red-cheeked
boy had found him, and carefully and gently
had lifted the heavy wire frame, and had taken
Frisk out. The poor little squirrel was hurt and
frightened, and the boy felt sorry for him. He
carried him home in his arms, and then wrapped
him in a soft, warm blanket and put him in a
basket. He meant to doctor his wounded leg
and keep him for a pet. Frisk, however, did not
like this notion, and in the morning, when the
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? 48
The Wolf's First Party.
on a piece of bircli bark. ^^liss Fo? requests
the presence of Mr. Wolf at a party in the hol-
low/' the invitation read, and the wolf felt as
though he had some standing in the world now,
mff^cox
for never before had any one called him ""ULr,
Wolf.
lie got up bright and early the morning of
the eventful day, and hurried from among the
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? The Wolf's First Party. 49
leaf-covered trees to hunt for the sun that was
just showing her smiling face above the hill,
behind v. nich she had hidden all through the
night The wolf gave her a friendly nod, and
gazed at the blue sky with feelings of the great-
est pleasure. He felt he could scarcely bear it
if the rain should fall, for he had almost reached
the limit of his patience in waiting for the party,
and the rain would mean that he must wait still
longer. But on this bright spring morning there
were certainly no signs of rain. Early in the
afternoon the wolf began getting ready. He
washed his face and hands in the little brook
that splashed and sang as it danced over the
stones, and then, as it grew broader, flowed
gently and silently along. The brook was the
wolf's mirror, t<^o, and a pine cone served him
for a comb. The poor, silly wolf was ready
hours before it was time to start, and he won-
dered if one always felt so anxious over their en-
trance into society. He wondered, too, if he
were really not more nervous than little Miss
Fox.
But at last the time of departure arrir'^d, and
the wolf started off. He must have something
to '^-axry, for he did not know what to do with his
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? 50 The Crow.
hands; so, remembering that some one had told
liim that you had better have an umbrella and
noli want it, than to want it and not have it, he
carried his big green sun-shade.
He was the first to arrive, and Miss Fox was
so pleasant and made him so welcome that he
never felt so hai)pj before. ! N"or did this happi-
ness end, for when all the guests had taken leave,
the woK remained to tell Miss Fox that this had
been the best and brightest time in all his life.
For many days he thought about the fine times
he had had at his first party, and wondered if he
would always have such fun, and if all the ladies
were as nice as Miss Fox.
The Crow.
Did you ever notice a number of black ob-
jects flying through the air or perhaps assembled
in a flock hunting for worms, or caterpillars, or
grubs, or maybe feasting on some fallen grains?
These are crows, and if you could examine them
closely you would see how beautifully their
glossy, black wings are tinged with dull blue and
brown and purple. They are very shy aiiS
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? The Cfow. 5S
cmming and verj fearful of the farmer's gun,
witL. which thej seem to be well acquainted.
One of them serves as watchman, and when he
sees danger approaching he sounds the alarm,
and all the crows within hearing distance flj ap
and away. The eggs of the crow are laid in nests
made of sticks woven with grasses and lined with
soft roots, feathers, or wool. Both the father
and mother bird sit on the eggs, and watch with
great care over their young. The crow can fly
very swiftly, and sometimes to great heights, and
it can also fly long distances. Have you ever
noticed one perched on a cow or perhaps a
sheep's back? It has perched itself there to pick
the worm out from the skin. Their cry of Caw!
Caw! Caw! is very ugly, and what a din they
make when they gather together in little parties
early in the morning to go in search of food, or
else at night when they are hunting for some
pleasant roosting place. The crow is a very
brave bird and is not afraid to attack the hawk
that sometimes comes swooping down upon it.
Its sharp, black eyes are of great service in its
search for food -- indeed it is upon this sense that
it depends and not upon the sense of smell. Its
keen sight also protects it from the attack of the
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? ^2 Bruin's Visit.
enemj. Sometimes you come across a crow tliat
is perfectly white, but this is not the case often.
The crow makes a very amusing and interesting
pet, 'except that it has the bad habit of stealing.
Thousands of crows are killed every year by
traps or the farmer's gun, and often and often
the poor little young ones are killed in their
nests by the hands of cruel and naughty boys.
The crow does steal the farmer's grain and pull
up the young seedlings, but he would be less
merciless to the poor bird, if he only saw how
much good he does in destroying the worms and
bugs, the mice and moles, which really eat up
lots and lots more than the much abused black
crow. Sometimes the farmers set up "scare-
crows" in the fields to frighten the thieves away,
but they soon learn that it is only a make-believe
man, and are not afraid.
Bruin's Visit.
Jack Feost was raging around in all his fury;
great white Hakes fell thick and fast and settled
one above the other upon the ground, making a
blanket soft and warm for the little plants that
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? Bruin's Visit. 53
lay hidden under the earth. The trees moaned
and shook their boughs as the wind went whist-
ling through tliem, and the little snow birds
hopped gracefully from limb to limb hoping to
find a stray worm or bug to satisfy their hungry
little selves.
Bruin had started bright and early that morn-
ing to visit his cousin, a brown bear who lived in
the woods beyond the school house. It was a
long journey, but Bruin cared little for that, for
he knew the way, and knew also the good times
that he and Cousin Bear enjoyed together. Well
he remembered his last visit. TVhat sport they
had playing ten pins, with sticks for pins and
stones for balls. How they enjoyed the game
of catch with the big horse chestnuts that fell
from their prickly coverings and lay scattered on
the ground. The snow had put a stop to ten
pins and catch, but it had brought sport of its
own, for what better fun could two young bears
want than a jolly game of snow-ball or a ride on
the school-house hill? TTith all these good times
dancing in his head, Bruin started off. ]! ,Iother
ITature had given him a thick furry coat, but
old Jack Frost did his best to pierce through this
heevy brown covering, and make him hurry
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? Bruin's Visit. 55
9lt>ng to keep good and warm. The scliool house
came in sight as he turned the last corner, and
Cousin Beards home was soon reached.
How glad Cousin Bear was to see him. They
chatted away as busy as beavers, for there was so
much to tell and so much to hear, but all was
told at last, and then arose the question -- what
next to do. Snow-balling was fun for awhile,
but their paws got too cold. They could not go
up on the hill, for all the school children were
out with their sleds, and there certainly was not
room for them both.
"Let's have a game of hide and seek," said
Cousin Bear.
Bruin liked that idea and cheerfully con-
sented. Cousin Bear shut his eyes, and Bruin
hurried off to find some good hiding place. First
he tried one and then another, but nothing suited
him, until at last the very thing met his gaze.
Time had worn a great hole in an old oak tree.
There it stood, bending its leafless limbs as
though beckoning Bruin to crawl inside. Such
a splendid chance could not be missed. My ! how
good and warm it was. Bruin was tired, and
before he knew it he had gone sound asleep.
How long he slept he did not know, but when
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? 56 Bruin's Visit.
lie opened his eyes the shadows had crept heavily
over the woods, and night was coming on apaca
Cousin Bear started in surprise when Bruin
rushed breathlessly into his house, for as he
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? Bruin's Visit. 57
could not find him he thought he had gone home,
and then how he laughed when Bruin told of
his hiding place, and thej both thought It a
great joke that Bruin had fallen asleep, while
he was playing. He said he would remember
to look there for him next time they had a game.
Bruin warmed himself by the bright fire, and
then said he must be going. Cousin Bear would
not hear a word as to his leaving until they had
had supper. So he set out the very best his store-
house afforded, and they both had a very merry
time, eating the turkey and fat little lamb, which
the bear had stolen the night before. When they
had cleared the table and washed the dishes,
Bruin trotted off towards his home as fast as he
could. It was dark before he reached his own
woods, but he was not afraid, for he knew every
step of the way. He was pretty well tired out
when he got home, and it did not take him very
long to get ready for bed. As he curled himself
up for a good long sleep, he felt satisfied over a
very happy day.
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? The Owl and the Bat.
"Good evening, Miss Bat/' said the grave gvay
owi, "pray may I come up and chat awhile? ''
"Indeed, you may, Mr. Owl," replied the bat.
"It's such a beautiful evening that I have been
sitting up here ever so long watching the moon,
as she played hide and seek among the trees; the
stars seem to be enjoying the game as much as
I, for they twinkle as brightly as diamonds so
far above us all. "
'T. see you have an eye for
the beautiful, my dear young
lady," said the owl, "but if
you but knew it, the most
beautiful thing I have seen in
all my life is yourself. "
The bat hung her head and
looked quite shy, while the
owl blinked his eves and
looked as though he thought
lie had really said something
most elegant.
"Do you know, my
dear," continued the ? ^^4
owl, "I have watched
? *>vv
S8
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? The Owl and the Bat.
59
you night after night as you floated around so
gracefully, never interfering with the other birds^
but going quietly about your own business, and
I decided that some day or other I would ask you
if you would not consent to be ]\Irs. Owl. The
time has come, Batty dear, and I hope you will
say yes. ''
,^^^^^f^V
The bat did say yes, for she had long admired
^he owl. She liked his solemn ways, and thought
him a very handsome bird.
It was decided that they should be married
very soon -- the very next week, in fact, for the
moon would be shining in all her glory then, and
the guests could not be asked to come in the
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? 6o The Owl and the Bat.
dark, even though it might be pleasanter for the
bride and groom.
The stork wrote the invitations. He wrote
them on the leaves of the water-lilies, using his
long sharp beak for a pen.
The night of the wedding came, and with it
many guests. The stork and the crane came to-
gether, for they lived in the same pond. The
eagle and the buzzard met as they came sailing
through the air.
The happy pair were soon made one, and then
what merry times they had. The lark and the
nightingale sang their brightest songs, and all
joined hands in a lively dance. Morning came
only too soon, and the guests must go, and as
the owl kissed his little bride, he cashed that
all her life might be just as happy as the first
night had been. What a happy time the bridal
party had for the next few weeks. "When the
guests had all gone, they packed their trunks,
and hastened away to spend their honey-moon
among the pine forests of the Green Mountains.
They traveled from place to place, journeying
by night aud resting by day; for strange as it
may seem, these queer creatures can neither of
them see when the beautiful <<un is shining.
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? The Owl and the Bat.
5l
Thj have si: oh curious eyes that the light makes
them blina So thej used to spend the long
summer days nestled close together on the
branch of some high tree. - At night they would
fly about here and there, watching the other
animals and enjoying the pure air.
The owl is a very wise bird, you Iniow, so he
was able to tell his trusting little wife many in-
teresting things.
After spending a very pleasant time, they re-
turned to their home, and settled down to spend
a very happy life.
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? Unhappy Bruin.
PooE Bruin's life seemed marked with mib-
fortunes.