THE LIFE OF A SPARROW
BY HIMSELF
I am a very old sparrow, but not so old that I cannot still relish a cherry, a grape, or a nice fat worm. I am about to write a short history of my life, for the instruction of my children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
My parents, after having reared a numerous family, decided to seek a new home. One lovely day in spring, they came to a pretty village which pleased them, and alighted on a cherry-tree to consult together. "Here we will remain," said my father. "Look at the cherry-trees and the grape-vines. We have found the right place at last."
After looking carefully about for some time, they chose for their home a new house with a projecting roof, before which stood three large cherry-trees in full bloom. My mother, with the help of my father, built a nest high up under the roof of the house, and lined it with soft feathers. She laid four eggs, but hatched out only one little sparrow; and I was that lucky one.
My parents fed me constantly with tender worms; and it is no wonder that the feathers began to grow on my naked little body, or that my father soon thought me able to fly. So one fine day I stood on the edge of the nest, fluttered my wings, and flew out of my father's house. With many fears and a beating heart I at last alighted on an acacia-tree. While I sat there, I saw many large birds walking about, and also a cat, against whom my mother had already warned me; and, directly over my head, I heard the scream of a hawk.
In my fright, I cried out bitterly; but when the cat ran away, and the hawk flew into the woods near by, I grew calm again. My cry soon brought my mother to my side; and my father came, bringing a delicious worm to comfort me.
Before many days I was able take care of myself. About this time I met with an adventure. One day I saw several of my comrades fly in through an open window. Wishing to know what they found, I also flew in, and soon was as busy as any of them eating the grains of wheat with which the floor was covered. Suddenly the window was shut, and we were caught. A laughing boy put his hand over me, took me up, then cut my wings, and let me hop. He was very kind to me; but I longed for my liberty. Fortunately my wings soon grew; and one day, when the window stood open, I flew away, and found my mother again.
One sunny day in the autumn, my mother and I sat on a gate, eating some grains of wheat. A sly old cat who had hidden under a burdock which grew beside the gate, suddenly sprang up, and seized my dear mother with her sharp claws.
My mother was a very wise bird: so, instead of struggling to get away, she remained so quiet, that Mrs. Pussy soon thought she must be dead. Before long she put her down upon the grass, that she might admire at her leisure the nice fat sparrow she had caught for her dinner. All at once up flew my mother, and in an instant was far beyond the reach of the cat.
Now I thought I was old enough to have a family of my own. So I chose me a little sparrow-wife; but I had to fight several battles before I could conquer all my rivals. My bravery won her heart; and I think she has been well content with her choice. We built our nest, and soon I had the pleasure of seeing in it five bluish-white, brown-and-gray-dotted eggs, and, fourteen days after, five pretty sparrows,—three sons, and two daughters.
One saucy rogue, with a golden bill, we lost. Like me, he was caught; but he never regained his liberty. A friendly little maiden was his mistress, who made him so tame, that he would eat from her hand. She gave him so many dainties, that he became too fat, and died. I saw how the little maiden dug him a grave in her garden. Bitterly weeping, she placed him therein, covered him with earth, and planted a cross of flowers on the little mound.
Our other children, one after the other, founded homes of their own, and all lived good and useful sparrow-lives. The multitude of my grandchildren I am no longer able to count.
From the German.