The Statue and the Birds. 181

upon all their friends, who gladly helped them,
having pitied them, and they really succeeded in
lifting the nest and fastening it securely on a
branch of the Tree. But alas, the very next day
a man came and looking up at the Tree, said:

“That dead branch is dangerous ; it may fall at
any time and I will send Patrick to cut it off this
morning,’ and if you can believe me, the branch
he pointed at, was the very one on which the birds
had for the second time built their nest.

“Oh, Tree,” they cried, “again our home is to”
be taken from us. Save us.”

And he answered: “Never fear, little Birds, I
will save your home, for did I not promise to pro-
tect you from all harm?” Then the Tree called
loudly to his friend the Wind, who had been play-
ing quietly near, and said:

“Blow, Wind.” And the Wind blew softly,
sweetly through the trees, and all the leaves
rustled and the branches rocked gently. Then
Patrick, the destroyer, appeared, carrying a ladder,
which he placed against the branch. Again the
Tree spoke :