FIVE LITTLE SPARROWS.
Reading edition
Five little sparrows sitting in a row Under a bench, in the darkness and the snow, Homeless and cold in the lonesome city square: What are the little birdies doing there? Huddled up close in a wretched little heap, Uttering only a soft and plaintive "cheep," Crowding together to keep each other warm,— Poor little birdies hiding from the storm!
Up in the tree-boughs, high above their heads, Are their pretty houses with straw and feather-beds: Why do the birdies leave their shelter warm To cuddle on a snow-bank, and shiver in the storm? But, in the morning when the sun came out, Then we could see how the trouble came about: Several saucy squirrels, the very day before, Had moved into their houses, and turned them out of door!
ELIZABETH AKERS ALLEN.
