96 WINTER STORIES AND POEMS 



So off went the sportsman, whistling, 



And off, too, went his gun ; 

 And its startling echoes never ceased 



Again till the day was done. 



And the old crow sat untroubled, 



Cawing away in her nook ; 

 For she said, " He'll never kill my birds, 



Since I told him how they look." 



When, lo ! she saw the hunter 

 Taking his homeward track, 



With a string of crows as long as his gun 

 Hanging down his back. 



" Alack, alack ! " said the mother, 

 " What in the world have you done ? 



You promised to spare my pretty birds, 

 And you've killed them every one." 



" Your birds ! " said the puzzled hunter ; 



" Why, I found them in my corn ; 

 And, besides, they are black and ugly 



As any ever were born! " 



" Get out of my sight, you stupid ! " 



Said the angriest of crows ; 

 " How good and fair the children are, 



There's none but a parent knows ! " 



