218 MAY 



So she went to all the birds. 



She told them what she had discovered. 



She begged them to come to help her eat up 

 the flax seed. 



But the birds would not listen to her. 



Not one of them would help her. 



The young flax began to grow. 



The Swallow again tried to get the birds to 

 help her. 



But they only made fun of her. 



And the flax kept on growing. 



The Swallow saw how careless the birds were. 



So she left the woods. 



She came to live among men. 



She built her nests in barns and along the 

 eaves of houses. 



Has a wise little swallow never looked at you 

 with bright eyes ? 



Do you know what she tried to say to you ? 



It was this : 



Dear child, do not wait until it is too late to 

 do what ought to be done now. 



Adapted from 



