Read THE CAGED BIRD of The Pearl Story Book A Collection of Tales‚ Original and Selected, free online book, by Mrs. Colman, on ReadCentral.com.

I.

Pretty bird! pretty bird!
Singing so sweet;
Art wishing for freedom
Bird-friends to meet?

II.

Dost thou guess what it is
Living in trees?
And to sleep in a nest
Rocked by the breeze?

III.

Thou wert born in a cage,
My own dear bird!
But, I fancy, new longings
Thy heart have stirred.

IV.

Or perhaps to the garden
Some bird has flown,
And taught thee of freedom,
Before unknown.

V.

If I open thy cage
And bid thee to fly,
Wilt thou ever come back,
To gladden mine eye?

VI.

Shall I hear thy sweet song,
Morning and eve?
Or wilt thou forever
Thy mistress leave?

VII.

Well, dear little bird!
I’ll open thy door:
Fly forth to the woods;
I’ll cage thee no more.

VIII.

But when winter months come,
With storm-winds that blow,
Come back; I will shelter thee
From the storm and snow.

GO TO: PLEASANT AMUSEMENTS
GO TO: THE YOUNG GLEANER