8 OUR FRIENDS, THE BIRDS. 
Thrilled by His quickening gaze, each leaf renewed 
Its life and floated buoyantly along; 
Its beauty put forth wings, and as it soared 
Its gladness grew to song. 
Thus from the red-stained oak the robin came, 
The cardinal bird the maple’s splendor bore, 
The yellow bird the willow’s faded gold 
In living plumage wore. 
Even the pale brown leaves the pageant joined, 
Sparrow and lark awakened to rejoice; 
And though they were less fair, He gave to them 
The more melodious voice. 
Since then, the birds close kinship with the trees 
Have ever kept, and built the yearly nest 
Beneath the fragrant shelter of the boughs, 
As on a mother’s breast. 
FRANCES LAUGHTON MACK. 
ew 
When school opened in the fall, Laura’s teacher 
wanted something for the school to learn and repeat in 
concert, and Laura told her about Elizabeth Akers’ 
poem— 
