ng the discontented parrot; and we gradually got more and
more intimate. My good friend, the old cockatoo, did not hesitate to
warn me against my companion; but I was angry with her, because I
fancied she lectured me, having no right to do so, and treated me as if
I had been a perfect baby. Then one night, after a long conversation
with the parrot, I agreed to fly away with him, and seek our fortunes on
some other part of the island. It was arranged that we should set out
the next morning before the sun was up; for the parrot thought if he
went away in open daylight, his father, who was a very fierce parrot,
would interfere with our flight. I cannot tell you why I felt sorry,
after the parrot left me, at the idea of leaving my good, kind friend,
the old cockatoo; but I really was. She had been so good to me, and had
so much to tell me about what she had seen during her long life, and in
her travels, that time passed very quickly indeed. That evening, too,
when I had retired to the branch I had selected for my sleeping-place, I
overheard a conversation between a very large mother parrot and her
three young ones, that somewhat filled my heart with alarm. 'Be
contented, children,' the mother parrot was saying. 'I have known many
parrots come to an untimely end, because they were always wanting to see
what was beyond the trees and bushes of their own home. I remember my
grandfather telling me about how a brother and he had strayed away far
into the woods, and they were overtaken by the darkness, and were
forced to remain in a tree all night. But he had not fallen asleep long
when he heard a great shriek; and on opening his eyes, what should he
see but an immense ape clutching his brother by the throat, and carrying
him away up to the top of the tree out of sight. It was all my
grandfather could do to get his wings to carry him home, he was so weak
and faint with the fright; and never again did he wander from his
companions.'

[Illustration: A LESSON IN CONTENTMENT.

_Page 42._]

"Oh, that I had listened even then to the old mother parrot's wise
advice!" said the cockatoo, as he scratched his eye. "Ah, sir," he said,
turning to Herbert, "it's harder to bear troubles when they come upon us
by our own folly.

"The sun was scarcely up when the green parrot was beside me; and as I
had promised to join him, I did not like to hesitate or draw back now.
So we set out on our travels, without even saying good-bye to any one.
For