80 



THE SPARROW 



gates, there are fields that have been freshly sown with 

 good grain, and farms with well-stored granaries. The 

 greediest, the least courageous birds decide to leave the 

 country, and suddenly you can see flights of sparrows 

 leaving the thin foliage of the trees to emigrate towards 

 the plains of the provinces of Beauce and Brie. 



But the true Parisian sparrows, those who love the 

 big city even in its winter ugliness, do not leave it. Brave 

 little creatures as they are, they set at defiance all the evil 

 chances of the winter season, quarelling over stray bits 

 of food under the very hoofs of the horses ; finally they 

 go and rap with their bill against the familiar windows 

 which just open to throw some crumbs to these faithful 

 friends of good and evil da3's. 



