IN LEGEND AND FABLE 



47 



Why the Swallow does not Sing 



A German Legend 



," ' " Once Upon 



^ f a time the 



swallow was a sing- 

 ing bird, and sang a 

 ■ song as melodious 

 ' ' as the nightingale's. 

 =- But after a time she 

 became weary of dwell- 

 ing in the lonely 

 forests where there 

 was no one to hear 

 and admire her beauti- 

 ful voice, except the 

 busy peasant boy 

 ^ and the innocent little shep- 

 2. herdess tending her flock. 

 The swallow then left her 

 humble home in the country 

 and went into the big city. 

 What happened there? In the 

 city all the people were so busy 



