Part 7 (1/2)

Do you know any one who has a collection of birds' eggs?

What would happen to the birds if we all made collections?

How do birds help us?

How do we help them?

How can we coax them to live near us?

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”_The bear started up and growled_”]

_Alone on the Wooded Hills_

Although Bodo was glad to take care of himself, he often wished that his mother were near.

Sometimes he called to her.

When she heard his call she would answer him.

Then he would swing on the branches until he found her.

But sometimes she was too far away to hear.

Then he listened in vain for her answering call.

Sometimes it was hard work to keep back the tears.

Once he sobbed so loud that a sleepy bear heard him.

The bear started up and began to growl.

Bodo hid in the branches of a tall tree.

He stayed there until the bear went away.

Then he was very hungry.

As he started out to find something to eat, he heard a rustling among the branches.

He listened.

Bodo hoped that his mother was coming.

But it was only a boy who was hunting birds' eggs.

Bodo watched him climb among the branches.

[Ill.u.s.tration: ”_It was only a boy who was hunting birds' eggs_”]

He watched him suck the eggs that he found.

How he wished that he might find some eggs!

He began to look for some.

In a moment he saw a bird's nest above him.

He climbed up the branch and peeped into the nest.

There were three beautiful eggs.

His eyes danced with joy.

He sucked the eggs.

Then he smacked his lips and hunted for more.