LESSON 15 THE STONE THAT REBOUNDED

THE STONE THAT REBOUNDED

O boys, boys, don't throw stones at that poor bird, said an old gray-headed man.

Why, sir, said a little fellow, "she makes such a squalling ［1］ that we can't bear her."

Yes; but she uses the voice which God gave her, and it is probably ［2］ as pleasant to her friends as yours is to those who love you. And, besides, I am afraid the stone will rebound, and hurt you as long as you live!

Rebound! We don't understand you, sir!

Well, come and I will tell you a story.

Is it a true story?

Yes; every word is true. Fifty years ago, I was a boy like you. I used to throw stones, and as I had no other boy very near me to play with, I threw them till I became very accurate ［3］ in my aim. One day I went to work for an aged couple of the name of Hamilton. They seemed very old people then. They were very kind to everybody and everything. Few had so many swallows making their nests under the roofs of their barns,—few had so many pets that seemed to love them, as they. For seven years a bird had come, after the long winter was over, and built her nest in the same place, and there reared her young ones. She had just returned on the day that I went there to work, and they welcomed her heartily. She hopped about as if glad to get back. In the course of the day, I thought I would try my skill upon her. She sat upon a post near the spot where she was to build her nest, and looked at me trustfully, as much as to say, ‘You won't hurt me?’ I found a nice stone, and, poising ［4］ my arm, I threw it with my utmost skill. It struck the bird on the head, and she dropped dead! I THREW IT WITH MY UTMOST SKILL."

I was sorry the moment I saw her fall. But the deed was done. All day long her mate flew about, and chirped in tones so sad that he made my heart ache. Why had I taken a life so innocent, and made the poor mate grieve so?

I said nothing to the old people about it. But through a grandchild they found it out; and., though they never said a word to me on the matter, I knew that they mourned for the bird, and were deeply grieved at my cruelty. I could never look them in the face afterwards as I had done before. Oh, that I had told them how sorry I was!

They have been dead many, many years, and so has the poor bird; but don't you see how that stone rebounded , and hit me? How deep a wound it made upon my memory! Why, my dear boys, I would give a great deal to-day if I could undo that deed!

For fifty years I have carried it in my memory. I have never spoken of it before; yet if what I have now said will prevent you from throwing a stone that may rebound, I shall rejoice."

The boys at once dropped the stones they had in their hands, and the bird had no more trouble from them.

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［1 ］ squalling: Screaming, crying out.

［2 ］ probably: Likely.

［3 ］ accurate: Correct, exact, without mistake.

［4 ］ poising: Balancing.