A "FAIRY" STORY. 67 



and effort to escape, which hinders character from 

 being shown. 



When Fairy is out of her cage, if I open a 

 drawer she is certain to show curiosity , and flies 

 into it, hops about in her perky way, pecking at 

 one thing and another to find out what each is, 

 her beak being equivalent to a hand, and the only 

 instrument with which she can do anything. I 

 put some delicacy on my finger, and then she 

 comes, and by her actions and low chirping she 

 shows pleasure. 



Before long, her sweet warbling song expresses 

 contentment, her little sky is serene and clear, all 

 her wants are provided for, she has no cares for 

 the morrow, and her happy little nature comes out 

 in cheery songs. 



She picks a scarlet flower petal, and I am not 

 sure but it may be poisonous and bad for her, so, 

 like a careful mother, I take it out of her beak. 

 Then comes unmistakable anger ; she scolds and 

 pecks at my fingers, and wilfully tries to get the 

 flower petal back again. 



All this is wonderfully human, and all to be 

 found in a creature not two inches in length ! 



