A LESSON FOR HELEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1058, 23 August 1930, Page 29

A LESSON FOR HELEN

Helen was only eight years old, and she lived with her grandmother in the , country. She was a very clever little j girl, her only fault being that she was unkind to birds and animals. “Now, Helen,” her grandmother would often say, “you must really try to treat those poor little birds a little better than you do?” Even then. Hele_n would take no notice; she would just keep on throwing stones at the little, feathered creatures. One day, while walking in the bright sunshine, she came upon a great wood She at onco entered it with the intention of picking a bunch of flowers for her grandmother. She had gone some distance, when to her surprise, she found herself under a shady oak tree, while all about her were starlings, robins, squirrels, and a large bunnyrabbit, which sat right in front of her. Helen at once picked up a stone and. after throwing it at a squirrel, who ran timidly up the tree, was about to run away when, to her surprise, - she seemed to have lost her way completely. “Now that we have you alone we are going to punish you for the ill-treat-ment you have given us,” said the rabbit. “Yes,” said the birds in a chorus. Then a little starling, who was perched on a stone, interrupted, saying, “You nearly killed me one morning by pelting me with stones. I could hardly limp home to my nest again.” “Why, you even killed my wife, and would have done the same to me by setting your cat on to me,” said a robin. The rabbit, who was waiting for silence, then said, “What punishment shall be decide on for this cruel little mortal?” “I know,” said a lamb, who was almost hidden away in the bushes, “we will bind her hands and feet, then lock her in the underground tunnel.” When Helen heard this she fell on her knees in great despair. Flinging her hands in the air she said to the rabbit, in a frightened voice, “Please Mr. Rabbit, if you let me off this time I shall never hurt you again.” Then the rabbit said. “You had no pity' for us, so why should me free you?” “But what will my poor grandmother do, she will have no one to keep her company.” Now Helen’s grandmother was n great friend of the birds and they did not want to hurt her feelings, so, after thinking it over, they decided to let her off. In a few moments Helen found herself back in the little cottage where she lived. “Why, where have you been?” said i Grandmother, then Helen told her all > about her adventure. The next morning Helen was up early, throwing crumbs to the birds, ! who were ev "V so happy. | Then Grandmother said to Helen. ! “I am glad you have learned a lesson. ! I do hope you will be kind to birds and • animals in future.” —Nancy Mclntyre, aged 12.