Page:Mrs. Spring Fragrance - Far - 1912.djvu/325

 "See those good little birds on the tree," said his mother.

"I don't believe they are good," replied the little boy.

"Fie, for shame!" cried his mother; and she went on with her work.

Just then an old blind-man carrying a guitar came down the street. He stopped just under the window by which Yen was seated, and leaning against the wall began thrumming away on his instrument. The tunes he played were very lively and merry. Yen looked down upon him and wondered why. The blind-man was such a very old man, and not only blind but lame, and so thin that Yen felt quite sure that he never got more than half a bowl of rice for his dinner. How was it then that he played such merry tunes? So merry indeed that, listening to them. Yen quite forgot to be sour and sad. The old man went on playing and Yen went on listening. After a while, the little boy smiled, then he laughed. The old man lifted his head. He could not see with his sightless eyes, but he knew that there was a little boy near to him whom he was making happy.

"Honorable great-grandfather of all the world," said Yen. "Will you please tell me why you, who are old, lame, and blind, make