LESSON 9 THE MAGPIE’S NEST

THE MAGPIE’S NEST

ONCE on a time, the story says, when birds could talk and lecture,

A magpie [1] called her feathered friends to teach them architecture [2] .

“To build a nest my courteous friends”—they all began to chatter

“‘OF COURSE,’ SAID JENNY WREN.”

“No need to teach us that, good Meg, it’s such an easy matter.”

“To build a nest,” Professor Meg resumed her speech demurely [3] ,

“First choose a well-forked bough wherein the nest may sit securely.”

“Of course,” said Jenny Wren. “Now cross two sticks for the foundation!”

“Oh all know that,” quoth Master Rook, “without this long oration.”

“Then take some slender twigs to form the round sides of the dwelling.”

“A fool knows that,” exclaimed the thrush, “without a magpie’s telling.”

“Then take some wool and line the nest, and bind it well together.”

“Why that’s as clear,” exclaimed the owl, “as stars in frosty weather.”

While thus they talked, Professor Meg had half the nest completed,

And growing quite indignant now to see how she was treated,

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” she said, “I see you’re all so clever My lessons are superfluous [4] , I’ll leave you then for ever.”

Away she flew and left the birds their folly to discover,

Who now can build but half a nest and cannot roof it over.

The magpie sits beneath her roof, nor rain nor hail can pelt her,

While others, brooding o’er [5] their young, themselves enjoy no shelter.

No better, fate do men deserve when self-conceit can lead them.

Friendly instructions to despise and think they do not need them.

* * *

[1] magpie: The bird here referred to is the English magpie, which roofs its nest. The nest of the Australian magpie is open.

[2] architecture: The art of building.

[3] demurely: Modestly.

[4] superfluous: Unnecessary; more than are wanted.

[5] brooding o’er: Covering with their wings.