The Northern star, and farmers' and mechanics' advocate. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1830-1834, 1830-08-28
F,pm fLe JMassachsssstts journal.
DISCONTENT,-AFApLE

(. O,c. there was q fairy that had moro
baneyoIent and enlarged views than most
other species She said her people had
done very wrong in con6ning all their gifts
70 mankind, who had long since ceased to
be worthy Of their glass slippers, magic
rings, wonderful mirrors, and pretty little
pocketpence her heart brrned to be Of
service to the brute cfe<tion. So she
stepped up to a COW, which was grazing by
the way side. Cow said she, what do
you wish for most in the whole world II
you will tell me, you shall have it, The
fairy was not much bigger than grass
hopper and the old COW thought it was
very presumptuous in her to pretend to
have so much power. However there
is no telling thought the COW ;' for those
little mosquitoes that do me SO much mis-
chief are great deal smaller than she is.
Then the COW said, IL ! might have my
wish, / would be bird. do not like to
be tied up in the barn every night, and
never to be allowed to go but INTO one
pasture. The birds have no troubles I;
they are free and happy. They can fly
away from danger, and in winter they can
warm Themselves by the sun. Then they
are at liberty to go all round the world,
and gather Information from every coun-
try. / am weary of this ssrvitude and
sameness.' When the fairy heard these
words, she touched her little wand, and
the COW changed to bird, and flew mer-
yily away. Soon after, the fairy met a
robin and she said, Pretty robin what
should you m st like in the world p Il
should like to be whale,' said the bird
I think it is very degrading to be such
little mite of creature as am al
ways look on every thing large with envy.
Besides, should like to live away down
under the water, because 1 should be so
safe there hawks could not find me, or
lhe guns of cruel men reach me- The
fairy thought he was foolish bird but
she did as he wishs her and he plung-
ed into the water with mighty noise.-|
As the fairy stood by the sea shore, she
saw another great whale, afar off and
she jumped into an Argonaut shell, and
went to the whale to ask him if he were
happy. No l am not, replied the whale
but am sure l should be, if l had been
made horse, instead Of being a whale.
Those beautiful creatures do not have to
wait upon themselves they are fed and
tended, and their coats brushed to shine
like the sun. No swordfsh and .hresher
unite to torment them +; they live in plen-
y and die in peaceful old age 1t isl
very strange, said the fairy, that every
,ne should be so unhappy where God
has placed them how true it is that each
one knows his own sorrows better than
another She granted the whale his wish,
and flew away well contented that she had
that day done three benevolent actions.
The next year, the kind-hearted fairy
sought out the creatures she had changed,
and asked them if they were happy. ooh,
was very silly said the COW, when l
changed the petty troubles had known s.
lried, for greater ones, had never heard
Of. was fool to think there was more
freedom in the air, than on the earth. /
have lived in perpetual terror of the hawks
and the guns. When l was a COW, l
used to have my calves to play
with, at least for little while but now
the cruel boys steal my eggs before they
are hatched. Oh, l wish were a COW
again, with nothing to do, but to give a
portion ofmy milk, which ! can spare just
as we'll as not, for sweet food and comfort
able lodging The fairy changed her to
q COW and the grass tasted sweeter to-
her :han it DIVER did. Upon inquiry it was
found that the others were as unhappy as
she had been. The whale, wounded by
sword-fish, and pursued by harpoons, was
dying to breath the sweet air of heaven
once more, and TO build its nest among
the green summer boughs; while the
horse, whipped and goaded during the
day, and tied up through the night, long
ed for the freedom of the waves again.
MORAL. And thus it is with mortals
Every one wishes to be what he is not
The poor man thinks that poverty is pe-
culiar for its trials and temptations that
il he we rich, he should certainly be good
benevolent and happy. The rich in the
midst Of his possessions, is often weary ol
Q world that has no new excitement to of.
fer; fretted by ten thousand pretended
claims on his generosity embittered by
ingratitude and sickened with the heart
less flattery of contending heirs. The un
educated man envies the idol Of literary
fame every thing seems bright and gold
e. in his path; and he does not know how