Robin, American 



his bow to shoot the bird, but as he did so, the bird flew 

 down to him singing, " O my father, a good spirit has changed 

 me into a bird! See my red breast! See how large and 

 strong I am!" 



"O-pe-chee!" called the father, and the robin answered, 

 "Ghee! Chee! Chee! Do not grieve for me! Ask the chil- 

 dren not to shoot me! Tell them often how I love them! 

 Chee! Chee! Chee!" 



Through all the years from that morning until this day, 

 the robin has loved all children and their homes, nesting 

 always near them, staying never in the forest where the red 



boy lay and fasted. 



ADAPTED. 



The North Story of How the Robin Got His Red Breast 



Far away in the cold Northland, there was once but a single 

 fire to warm the whole country. An old man and his little 

 son kept it burning by day and by night. They knew that 

 were the fire to go out, all the people in the North country 

 would freeze, and their enemy, the white bear, have all the 

 region for himself. 



One day, the old man became so very ill he could no longer 

 guard the fire. For many days and many nights, his little 

 son cared for him and faithfully worked over the fire. At 

 last, however, the boy grew so tired he could not even move 

 about. 



Now the white bear also constantly watched the fire, wait- 

 ing for the hour when the land should belong to him. Seeing 

 at length the great weariness of the boy, he drew near the 

 fire and laughed to himself. Soon he saw the son fall asleep 

 beside his father. Quickly he jumped upon the fire. He 

 beat it with his wet paws and rolled his great body upon it. 



126 



