Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-03-05
Three Wise Sayings.

thttO UisO oosinoo.
A wealthy man was one day strelling
through his garlonln very gay and
happy mood. Suddenly he stopped to
look at little bird that was confined
in cage suspended from tree. Judge
of his surprise, when the bird opened its
mouth and began to speak.
oh, give me my freecom,g good man.
he said; what good can it possibly do
you to have me shut up here? You see
L am not handsome, therefore it can
not please you to look at me; l do not
sing like other birds, therefore l cannot
amuse you. 1 would not answer for
food because 1 am too small. If you
will give me my liberty, 1 will tell you
three things that may serve you through
life.'
The owner of the garden looked at
the little creature with amuse smile and
said; well, since you cannot sing. you
certainly are oflittle value to me; but
come let's hear that wisdom you have
to impart, and promise that if sou tell
me something that have not heard be
fore, you shall be Free
The little bird replied:
Never regret the past! Do not wish
for what you cannot obtainn Never be-
lieye impossible things!'
You have indeed spoken wisely
said the gentleman. 60 L give you
your freedom'
He opened the cage door and the bird
flew up into a tree. No sooner had he
allghted among the leaves than he be-
gan to laugh.
why do you laugh so merrily?' ask
ed the man.
Over my easily attained freedom
answered the bird; but still more at
the folly of men who think that they
are wiser than any oF Gods creatures.
Now if you were as wise as I,you might
now be the richest and happiest man on
earth =
How IS that pOsslble?' p asked the
man.
BY keeping me, fer know you that l
carry within my body diamond larger
than hens egg.'
The man was thunderstruck, but soon
recovering his presence of mind, set to
work to repossess himself of the treas
ure he had lest.
Now you think yon are fortunate,
little bird, because you have your free
DOM he said; 'Reeect moment. The
summer will soon be gone and the win
ter storms will be at hand; the brooks
will dry up, and you will not be able
to find drop Of water to quench your
thirst. You will want for food, and
the frost and cold Will kill you. Come
with me; 1 will take care Of you and
place you IN a large room where you
may fly about as much as you please.
You shall have plenty Of food, and
nothing shall be wanting to make you
as happy as possible
The bird laughed Louder and longer
than ever.
The man lost his patience, and cri-
ed angrlly: why do you laugh all the
time?'
Because 1 can't help it, replied the
bird, when l see how silly you are.
You set me at liberty because Of the
which impaired to you, but you
haven't the sense to profit by 1t.
You thought that 1 deserved to be
set free on account of 1t, yet you forgot
it in a moment. Now let us see
what toldyou.
First: Meyer regret the past! You
are already regretting that you gave me
my libertyv
Second: Do not wish for what you
cannot o5tain! You are wishing that
1 would return to my cage. though my
life is a burden to me unless am Free
Third: Never believe impossible
things! Yet you belleye that my body
contains diamond larger than hens
egg though l am scarcely so large
With another laugh the bird flew
away.