Part 28 (1/2)

Oh, never pinch a p.u.s.s.y's tail Nor pull a poor fly's wings._

_And never tease your little dog, With unkind act or word, And never throw a cruel stone At any little bird._

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The Trees

I often think when Winter comes How cold must be the trees; More than in the Summer Time They need their coats of leaves.

THE CANARY

Canary Bird, Canary Bird, In your golden jail, On your trapeze balancing With your yellow tail,

Don't you wish that you could fly Through the window pane To the Robin Redbreast gay Singing in the lane?

Where the apple trees in bloom Drop their petals white, So you almost think it has Snowed 'most all the night?

Would you love to see the nest Mrs. Robin's made, And the eggs of china blue Which she just has laid?

Don't you want to leave your cage?

See, the door is wide Open and the window, too-- You can fly outside.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_See the turkey gobbler run.

Guess he doesn't call it fun.

Don't you hope he gets away Before it is Thanksgiving Day?_

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_Up and down the page he goes On his long, thin pointed toes.

Now and then he gives a squawk-- That's the way a Turkey talks!_

THE LAND OF NOWHERE

Jack and Grace were in the nursery playing with their toys, when suddenly they were startled by a tiny voice calling out ”Good-by!”

They looked up quickly, and to their surprise their little tin airs.h.i.+p was slowly rising from the floor. In another moment it sailed across the room and out of the top of the window, which was down a little to let in fresh air. The little man at the steering wheel waved his hand as the airs.h.i.+p disappeared. Jack rushed to the window.

”Grace, Grace!” he shouted, ”did you ever hear of such a thing? Come on.

I'm going to run outside and see where it goes.” Both children hurried down stairs and out on the sidewalk. Sure enough, just over the top of the next house they could distinguish their Christmas present ascending higher and higher into the clear blue sky.