Alabama, 1918. 39 



they had five baby squirrels to care for, he taught them all to fly as 

 he did. 



"Ever since then that branch of the squirrel family has been 

 known as 'flying squirrels,' because one little gray squirrel longed 

 with all his heart to be like his swift-winged soaring neighbor." 



II. No Wings 



" 'Don't be afraid,' said Mother Brown Bird to her five timid 

 nestlings huddled together on the oak-tree branch. 'Spread your 

 wings just as I do, and they will carry you safe to this lower bough. 

 It is only a little way. See how easy it is !' And she flew up beside 

 them, and then down again, while Father Brown Bird darted back 

 and forth, calling encouragingly and sometimes impatiently. 



" 'It looks so delightful !' sighed one little bird. 'But how ter- 

 rible it would be to fall down on the hard ground ! Why, we might 

 be killed!' 



" 'Who cares for a fall ?' chirped the boldest and most reckless 

 one. 'I am sure I can reach that branch, and I shall not wait any 

 longer. I want to fly !' So he spread his wings and plunged off. 



"The others twittered in alarm, but their reckless brother landed 

 quite safe and triumphant beside Mother Brown Bird, much praised 

 by his parents, though a trifle breathless and dizzy. 



"Two of the others who had been balancing and fluttering their 

 wings now followed him. One was unlucky and fell to the ground 

 beneath, but father and mother bird flew quickly to him and with 

 many encouraging words persuaded him to try again. Soon he was 

 up in the tree again, quite proud because he had learned to fly up 

 as well as down. 



"Even the timid little sister took courage after that and was 

 surprised to find the air like friendly arms under her outspread 

 wings. 



"Left upon the home branch by the nest was just one brown 

 birdling. Mother and father bird called and coaxed, brothers and 

 sisters dared longer and longer flights, but he would not make an 

 effort. 'I do not want to fly.' he declared. 'I am afraid of the air. 

 I like this branch, and it is too dangerous to trust to feeble wings.' 



"At last, when Mother Brown Bird was quite out of patience, 

 she flew up and gave her stubborn son a push which sent him from 

 his perch. She hoped he would spread his wings to keep himself 



