Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-20
THE FAuLT-FINDINe FAIRY.

There was once fairy who had a
bad habit of finding fault with other
people. One day, as she was flying
about in a meadow, she saw fine
young skylark sitting in the long
grass and looking very unhappy.
what is the matter with you?''
asked the fairy.
Il want to build nest" replied the
bird, "and l am unhappy because
have no mate"
''Why don't you look for a mate,
then?" asked the fairy. Ely up and
sing beautiful song in the air, and
then perhaps some pretty brown bird
will hear you, and consent to be your
mate
Il am ashamed of my long claws"
answered the skylark. "My spurs are
long enough to brighten any one, and
yet l am not cruel bird. Can you
not help me fairy?" he asked. as he
lifted one Of his feet
Your claws do look very fierce,''
said the fairy, "Are you sure you
never use them to fight with?"
mo, never" said the skylark, ear.
nestly; 81 never fought battle in
my life, yet these claws grow longer
and longer"
Il am sorry for you,' observed the
fairy. But am sure you must be a
very quarrelsome bird, or you would
not have such long spurs. Appear
auces are very much against you. No,
cannot help you. Good morning,
and the unkind fairy flew away.
A grasshopper, who had heard what
the fairy said, came chirping Up to
comfort the skylark.
II have known you for long time
she said, 'and have never seen you
quarrel or fight. l will tell everyone
that you are good natured bird. At
the same time" she continued, 81
wish you would tell me the use of
those long claws"
'DearNgrasshopper, cannot imagine
what they are for-that is the real
truth"
Perhaps time will show" said the
kind grasshopper.
The slSylark, delighted with the
grasshopper's promise to speak well of
him, flew up into the air, and the nigh
er he went the sweeter and louder he
sang. He poured forth such delight
full notes, that pretty brown lark
peeped out from the tall grass and ex-
claimed, Il never heard such beauti-
full song in my life-never..'
ut was sung by my friend the sky
lark" said the grasshopper, who hap
pened to be near by. "He is a very
good-tempered bird, and he is, seeking
for mate"
"Hush!" said the brown lark. 81
want to hear all of that wonderful
song" For just then the skylarl, far
up in the blue heaven, burst forth III
song, and sang so well that every
creature in the field sat still to listen.
At length the skylark came down
with tired wing, and the grasshopper
and the lark told him how much his
song had pleased them. The skyIarl
thought he had never before seen
such pretty bird as the little brown
lark. and he asked her to forget his
long spurs and be his mate.
I don't mind your spurs" the
brown lark said.
II am very glad of that" answered
the skylark, II was afraid you would
dislike them"
wv a. ou, BIG ISpH6u. I'm ire
contrary, should not wish you to have
short claws like other birds, but |
cannot say why, as they seem to be Of
no use to you"
This was very pleasing to the sky
lark and he sang such delightful
songs that he soon won her for his
mate. They built a charming little
nest in the grass. and the skylark was
SO happy that he almost forgot his
long claws.
The fairy meanwhile, few about
from field to field, but she seldom went
anywhere without saying something
unkind or ill-natured Que afternoon
she came back to the meadow. AMI
there she saw the skylarks friend
again.
How do you do, grasshopper, /"
said the fairy.
THANK you, am very well and