Page:Alice Miller (1917) Women are people (Internet Archive).djvu/44



Eastern prophets, elderly and sage, Were walking in a wood one summer day, When suddenly they came upon a cage Holding a long-winged bird of plumage gay; And, as this seemed to them a curious thing, They sat down to discuss it in a ring. They made their discourse under headings three: First, was the cage its natural habitat? Next, could it fly, if they should set it free? Last, would it change, then, to a mole or cat? Each had a theory, evolved or heard, On the essential nature of a bird.

The argument continued many years, Until one day a youth came strolling by, To whom they told their questions and their fears. "Easy to answer them," he made reply.