Page:Story of the robins.djvu/101

Rh a number of errors, and make yourself ridiculous. I should commend your courage, provided you would add prudence to it; but blundering on in this ignorant manner is only rashness." "Let him alone, let him alone," said the father; "if he is above being taught, he may find his own way to the nest; I will teach his brother.—Come, Dicky," said he, "let us see what you can do at flying upwards; you cut a noble figure this morning when you flew down."

Dicky, with reluctance, advanced; he said he did not see what occasion they had to go back to the nest at all; he should suppose they might easily find some snug corner to creep into till they were strong enough to roost in trees, as other birds did.

"Why," said the father, "you are as ridiculous with your timidity as Robin with his conceit. Those who give way to groundless fears generally expose themselves to real dangers. If you rest on the earth all night, you will suffer a great deal from cold and damp, and may very likely be devoured whilst you sleep, by rats and other creatures that go out in the night to seek for food; whereas, if you determine to go back to the nest, you have but one effort to make, for which, I will venture to say, you