306 
OUR HOME BIRDS. 
spring itself. The servant obeyed his master, and 
when he had reached the top of the rock he discov- 
ered there a crystal spring at which he filled the cup. 
But a little lower down he caught sight of a huge 
serpent lying dead, with its head resting in the 
course of the stream, and polluting the water with 
the poisonous foam that issued from its iaws. 
“ ‘ He presented the cup, and told his master of 
his discovery. The king was much affected by the 
thought that he had in his blind rage destroyed the 
faithful bird who had endeavored to save his master 
from ill even at the risk, and finally at the cost, of 
his own life/ 
“The story then goes on at some length to say 
that the incident had a happy effect on the king, 
who, being an irresponsible despot, had too often 
committed terrible severities when enraged. But 
ever after the adventure of the falcon and the snake 
he was accustomed to check his anger by reflecting 
on the consequences to which it had formerly led.” 
“ I like that story,” said Malcolm, “ but I wouldn’t 
have liked to feel as that king did when he heard 
about the snake.” 
“ It is a lesson to us all,” replied his governess, 
“ for acts committed in anger are almost always 
unjust ones.” 
