ROBIN REDBREAST 141 



His mother wept when she took leave of 

 him. She felt that she would never again see 

 her darling. 



His father, too, was sad at heart. 



But the stern old chief felt that he must teach 

 his son to be brave. He hoped that, in time, he 

 might become head of the tribe. 



So he made him a little tent of birch logs. 



And he spread on the floor a mat of reeds. 



Then the little boy lay down and closed his 

 eyes, and his father went away. 



After a few days the great chief came back 

 and saw his little son, pale and thin. 



" Father, take me back," said he. " Take 

 me back, or I shall die. 



" I do not want to be a great warrior. I 

 want to love people, not to kill them." 



Bat the chief said, " Be patient, my son. 

 In two more days I shall come for you again. 



" Then I shall bring you food, and take you 

 home to your mother." 



On the seventh day he came and looked in 

 the tent, and found it empty. 



But on the roof sat a robin with a bright red 

 breast, and sang this song : 



" Great Chief, I was once your son. I shall 



