THE BRAMBLE BUSH AND THE LAMBS.

A bright happy brook ran through a pleasant meadow. The horses and cows and sheep went there to drink. When the sheep and lambs went down to drink they passed by the bramble bush. Sometimes the bramble bush would pick off little pieces of wool. The sheep did not like this. So they said to the bramble bush, “You are of no use. We give the children wool to make warm clothes for the winter.” The cows said, “We give the children milk to drink.” The horses said, “We work for the children and give them pleasant rides.” But the bramble bush did not say a word.

One spring morning two pretty birds flew into a tree near the brook. The sheep were eating the sweet green grass near by. They heard a bird say, “We must have something warm and soft for our nest. I will see what I can find.” He flew down and saw the white wool on the bramble bush. “This is what I want,” said the bird. “Thank you, Bramble Bush.” The bird took some of the wool to his nest. Then he flew away to tell the other birds about the wool on the bramble bush. After that the sheep were kind to Bramble Bush. They often gave it wool for the birds to use in making their nests.