went over it, and down it came. fun!" they cried. "Oh, what 9. "Mother told me to bring these seaweeds; I will find a pretty place for them," said one-and she ran a long way over the sands, and left them among the pebbles. The pebbles cried, "We are glad you are come. We wanted washing." 10. "Mother sent these shells; I don't know where to put them," said a little fretful wave. "Lay them one by one on the sand, and do not break them," said the eldest wave. 11. And the little one went about its work, and learned to be quiet and gentle, for fear of breaking the shells. 12. "Where is my work?" said a great, full-grown wave. "This is mere play. The little ones can do this and laugh over it. Mother said there was work for me." And he came down upon some large rocks. 13. Over the rocks and into a pool he went, and he heard the fishes say, "The sea is coming. Thank you, great sea; you always send a big wave when a storm is nigh. Thank you, kind wave; we are all ready for you now." 14. Then the waves all went back over the wet sands, slowly and carelessly, for they were tired. 15. "All my shells are safe," said one. 16. And, "My seaweeds are left behind," said another. 17. "I washed all of the pebbles," said a third. 18. "And I-I only broke on a rock, and splashed into a pool," said the one that was so eager to work. "I have done no good, mother-no work at all." 66 19. "Hush!" said the sea. And they heard a child that was walking on the shore, say, 'O mother, the sea has been here! Look, how nice and clean the sand is, and how clear the water is in that pool." 20. Then the sea said, "Hark!" and far away they heard the deep moaning of the coming storm 21. "Come, my darlings," said she; "you have done your work, now let the storm do its work." DEFINITIONS.-6. Pressed, pushed, followed closely. Tim'id, wanting courage, not bold. 10. Frět'ful, cross, peevish. Eld'est, first, foremost. 20. Mōan'ing, making a low, dull sound, muttering. 1. Don't kill the birds! the little birds, That sing about Soon as the joyous Spring has come, And chilling storms are o'er. 2. The little birds! how sweet they sing! And do not seek to take the life 3. Don't kill the birds! the pretty birds, For earth would be a cheerless place, 4. The little birds! how fond they play! But let them warble forth their songs, 5. Don't kill the birds' the happy birds, They claim our warmest love. 6. The happy birds, the tuneful birds, DEFINITIONS.-4. Dis tûrb', interfere with. War'ble, to trill, to carol. 5. In'no çent, pure, harmless. 6. Tūne'fụl, musical, melodious. Preş'ençe, state of being at hand, existence. LESSON LVI. WHEN TO SAY NO. 1. Though "No" is a very little word, it is not always easy to say it; and the not doing so, often causes trouble. 2. When we are asked to stay away from school, and spend in idleness or mischief the time which ought to be spent in study, we should at once say "No." 3. When we are urged to loiter on our way to school, and thus be late, and interrupt our teacher and the school, we should say "No." When some schoolmate wishes us to whisper or play in the schoolroom, we should say "No." 4. When we are tempted to use angry or wicked words, we should remember that the eye of God is always upon us, and should say "No." 5. When we have done anything wrong, and are tempted to conceal it by falsehood, we should say "No, we can not tell a lie; it is wicked and cowardly." 6. If we are asked to do anything which we know to be wrong, we should not fear to say "No." 7. If we thus learn to say "No," we shall avoid much trouble, and be always safe. DEFINITIONS.-1. Causes, makes. 2. I'dle ness, a doing nothing, laziness. 3. Urged, asked repeatedly. Loi'ter, linger, delay. In ter rupt', disturb, hinder. 4. Těmpt'ed, led by evil circumstances. 5. Con çeal', hide. Falsehood, untruth. |