Year: 1877




A wealthy man was one day strolling
through his garden in d very gay and
happy mood. Suddenly he stopped to
look at little bird that was confined in
a cage suspended from tree. Judge of
his surprise, when the bird opened its
mouth and began to speak.


"Oh, give me my freedom, good
man," he said; "what good can it pos
sibly do you to have me shut up here
You see am not handsome, therefore it
cannot please you to look at me; I do not
sing like other birds, therefore 1 cannot
amuse you. would not answer for food,
because l 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 an amused smile, and
said: "Well, since you cannot sing, you
certainly are of little value to me; but
come, let us hear what wisdom you have
to impart, and promise that if you tell
me something that 1 have not heard be-
fore, you shall be free.


The little bird replied


"Never regret the past Do not wish
for what you cannot obtain Never be-
lieve impossible things p


" You have indeed spoken wisely"
said the gentleman. $50, 1 give you
your freedom p


He opened the cage door, and the bird
flew up into tree. No sooner had he
alighted among the leaves than he began
to laugh.


"Why do you laugh so merr1y 2"
asked 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 possible ?" asked the
man.


"By keeping me, for know you that I
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 treasure
he had lost.


Now, you think you are fortunate,
little bird, because you have your free
dom," he said. I Reflect moment. The
summer will soon be gone, and the winter
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; I 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 cried
angrily: "Why do you laugh all the
time ?"


p" Because I cannot help it," replied
the bird, "when see how silly you are.
You set me at liberty because of the
wisdom which 1 impaired to you, but
you haven't the sense to profit by it.
You thought that I deserved to be set
free on account of it, yet you forgot. it
i'll moment. Now let us see what told
you:


First Never regret the past 7
You are already regretting that you gave
me my liberty.


"Second: DO not wish for what you
cannot obtain = You are wishing that I
would return to my cage. though my life
is burden to me unless l am free.


"Third Never believe impossible
things + Yet you believe that my body
contains a diamond larger that hens
egg. though am scarcely SO large"


With another laugh the bird flew
away.