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THE MOUSE, BIRD, AND SAUSAGE. |
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The sausage went out to get wood, the bird lighted the fire, and the mouse put on the saucepan, and sat down to watch it till the sausage returned home with wood for the next day. But he stayed away so long that the bird, who wanted a breath of fresh air, went out to look for him. On his way he met a dog, who told him that, having met with the sausage, and considering him as his lawful prey, he had devoured him.
The bird complained greatly against the dog for his conduct, and called him a cruel robber, but it did no good.
"For," said the dog, "the sausage had false papers with him, and, therefore, his life was forfeited to society."
The little bird, full of sorrow, flew home, carrying the wood with him, and related to the mouse what he had seen and heard. They were both very grieved, but quickly agreed that the best thing for them to do was to remain together.
From that time the bird undertook to prepare the table, and the mouse to roast something for supper, and to put the vegetables into the saucepan, as she had seen the sausage do; but before she had half finished her task, the fire burnt her so terribly that she fell down and died.
When the little bird came home, expecting to find something to eat, there was no cook to be seen, and the fire was nearly out. The bird, in alarm, threw the wood here and there, cried out, and searched everywhere, but no cook could be found.
Meanwhile, a spark from the fire fell on the wood, and set it in a blaze, so that there was danger of the house being burnt. The bird ran in haste to the well for water. Unfortunately he let the pail fall into the well, and being dragged after it, he sank into the water and was drowned.
And all this happened because one little bird listened to another who was jealous of the happy little family at home, and from being discontented and changing their arrangements they all met with their death. |
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