184 The Little Bedesman of Christ

roadside, when he was on his way to Be-
vagno. Down from the trees flew the birds
to hear him, and they nestled in the grassy
bosom of the field, and listened till he had
done. And these were the words he spoke
to them:

* Little birds, little sisters mine, much are
you holden to God your Creator; and at all
times and in every place you ought to praise
Him. Freedom he has given you to fly
everywhere ; and raiment He has given you,
double and threefold. More than this, He
preserved your kind in the Ark, so that
your race might not come to anend. Still
more do you owe Him for the element of
air, which He has made your portion.
Over and above, you sow not, neither do
you reap; but God feeds you, and gives
you streams and springs for your thirst ; the
mountains He gives you, and the valleys for
your refuge, and the tall trees wherein to
build your nests. And because you cannot
sew or spin, God takes thought to clothe
you, you and your little ones. It must be,
then, that your Creator loves you much,
since He has granted you so many benefits.
Be on your guard then against the sin of in-