Norwich bulletin., 1915-07-29
BY DORIS wEBB

BY DORIS WEBB.
Once these was a little baby song
sparrow named Tito and he was just
learning to fly. He had grand times
Hopping out Of the nest and Tapping to
the ground. At last one bright morn
Ing Tito spread his wings and went for
q long, long fly out into the world-so
far that when he at last came TO the
ground and perehed on q little rose
bush he thought he must be nearly at
the end of the earth.
what a tremendous journey" he
said. as he looked about him. He was
at the edge OF q pretty marsh, bright
with flowers, and just below him flow
ed q gentle stream Of clear water. It
was very pleasant, indeed.
swaying gleefully UP ana down. Then
IS he looked into the stream below him
he saw a stir in the water and out
t erept a curious shaped green thing
What are your" cried Tito. you're
the queerest bird I ever saw"
Bird" cried the green thing. 'Tm
, frog. My names Dub dub," and he
leaped on to a. messy rock near the
rose bush.
"ohl" said Tito, how splendidly you
jomp!"
THAT isn't anything" Dub-dub an
swered, and he began leaping about
from one bank to the other IN most
magnificent style. That's just as easy
baby froggie could roll OFF log if you
pushed it. What I admire is singing
No enc in our family ever could sing
really well. Do let me hear that little
song again."
so Tito sang his little chirpy song
and Dub-dub sat upon the messy rock
and listened.
THAT is fine" he said when Tito had
finished. I'D rather be able to sing
than anything else in the world"
Realty" cried Tito. ira rather be
able to jump. / wish could give you
my voice for your jump
DO your" Dub dub exclaimed. ~Then
] think it can be done. Well 60 and
see the Fairy Iris about 1t. She can
do wonderful things and I'm quite sure
voices, If you'd really like to-"
Il would, would" cried Tito. Then
come" said Dub -dub, and he hoped of
down the stream while Tito followed
very much excited. Soon they came
to q clump of high rushes. and In the
middle rose one queenly purple iris.
The three inner petals were folded to-
gether like little tent
Dub-dub stopped. Fairy Iriss' he
called. Tito waited and watched. Then
the three closed petals Of the iris un-
fooled gently. Inside. seated on a
golden throne. was the daintiest little
fairy imaginable. She was dressed in
purple like the softest velvet and her
wings were gauzy and colored like
opals.
siIs It you. little Dub-dub!s she
asked. sand what shall you Hike me to
do for your
Dub-dub explained what they wanted
and the fairy listened with her chin In
pne tiny hand.
II can change you" she said, 'but
think you're much better as you are"
"Oh, please. please. change U.S." cried
Tito and Dub dub.
Very we'll" said the fairy. CLOSE
your eyes" So they shut their eyes
throat and feet. When they opened
their eyes the iris had closed again,
Ind the fairy could no longer be seen.
She's gone" said Dub-d dub, and then
he gave little hop Of surprise, for his
Foice sounded soft and musical.
cried, and then he began singing and
saroling. ttst exactly Hike a little bird
Its wonderful" said Tito. but the
words sounded harsh and croaky. "Oh.
lear! don't like my yoice!" he cried.
but, anyway.I think can leap now"
Ind he gave a great spring and landed
our feet away. "Just look!" he called.
Isn't that 1ine? I'm going right home
10 show my brothers and sisters. Good
Sy!" and he few away.
Dub-dub went back to his home, too,
.ut 1t took him long time, for he
ound that he could only take little
tops, like a, bird, instead Of the long
caps he was used to- However. he
vas very proud Of his voice and sang
softly to himself
Tito found his way home very easily,
or the oak tree where he lived was the
Rrgest IN the wood. All his family
vere at home. chirping and twittering
% usual.