76 THE SWALLOW 



"And I," says the sparrow, "am a fine ar- 

 chitect." 



"Must the clay for the pots and kettles be 

 brought from afar?" 



"You," says the sparrow, "have many 

 brothers to help you." 



"But perhaps they have all died in the 

 long journey oversea and through violent 

 winds." 



"Perhaps I will help you," relents 

 the sparrow, " if you will give me good 

 things to eat — rye, barley, and seeds of 

 hemp." 



"But I have none of these." 



The sparrow then becomes angry. "Very 

 well, I will tear down your nest, and you can 

 build another. You are a nuisance to man. 

 You live in his courtyards." 



"That," says the swallow, "is my own af-, 

 fair. I am a friend to man. I do not steal. 

 The sparrows steal. I . am allowed to live 

 on friendly terms in the courtyards of 

 man," 



