Page:Story of the robins.djvu/213

Rh temper, your own little breast will be in a state of constant perturbation; you will absolutely exclude yourself from the blessings of society, and will be shunned and despised by birds of every kind. The stork which you thus censure is far from deserving your ill opinion. He would do you no harm, and is remarkable for his filial affection. I saw him taken prisoner. He was carrying his aged father on his back, whom he had for a long time fed and comforted; the weight of this precious burden impeded his flight, and being at length weary with it, he descended to the ground to rest himself, when a cruel man, who was out on the business of bird-catching, threw a net over them, and then seized him by the neck. The poor old stork, who was before worn out with age and infirmities, unable to bear this calamity, fell from his back and instantly expired. The stork, after casting a look of anguish on his dear parent which I shall never forget, turned with fury on his persecutor, whom he beat with his wings with all the strength he had; but it was in vain to contend with a being so much more powerful than himself, and in spite of all his exertions he was conveyed to this place. But come, let us pick up a little refreshment, and then return to the orchard."