8. I think, my children, said the lark, we shall still be safe here; and
we will, therefore, feel no anxiety or concern to-night.
9. On the third day, the mother again charged the young larks to give
her a faithful report of what was done and said, while she was absent.
10. When the old lark returned that evening, the little larks told her
that the farmer had been there, with his sons, early in the morning;
but, as his friends and relations had not come to assist him, he had
directed his sons to bring some sharp sickles early in the next morning,
and that, with their assistance, he should reap the corn himself.
11. Ah! said the mother, did he say so? Then it is time for us to
prepare to be gone; for when a man begins to think seriously of doing
his work himself, there is some prospect that it will be done; but if he
depends on his friends, his neighbors, or his relations, no one can tell
when his work will be done.
12. Now, this little story is called a Fable. It cannot be true, because
birds do not and cannot speak.
13. But, although it is not true, it is a very useful little story,
because it teaches us a valuable lesson: and that is, that it is best to
do our own work ourselves, rather than to depend upon others to do it
for us; for, if we depend upon them, they may disappoint us, but
whatever we determine to do for ourselves, we can easily accomplish, if
we go right to work about it.
Pages:
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86