THE CHILD AND THE BIRD.
Reading edition
BY MARGARET SANGSTER.
"Oh, where are you going, my dear little bird? And why do you hurry away? Not a leaf on the pretty red maple has stirred, In the sweet golden sunshine to-day." "I know, little maiden, the sunshine is bright, And the leaves are asleep on the tree, But three times the dream of a cold winter's night Has come to my children and me. "So good-by to you, darling, for off we must go, To the land where the oranges bloom, For we birdies would freeze in the storms and the snow, And forget how to sing in the gloom." "Will you ever come back to your own little nest?" "Ah, yes, when the blossoms are here, We'll return to the orchard we all love the best, And then we will sing to you, dear."