ss went away as he saw
how very, very silly this creature was.

"He was a fool in fools' feathers," he croaked. "He is no more. But
before the end he bade me return these to you, saying, 'Fine feathers do
not make fine birds.'" Speaking thus, he presented to the pair their two
long feathers with which he had started his collection and which were
the only ones now remaining to the masquerading Crow.

Then with a harsh _Caw_! he flew away to his tree. He is not a happy
bird, but since that time he has never been so mad as to think that
clothes are the chief thing in the world.

KING SOLOMON AND THE BIRDS

King Solomon was wiser than all men, and his fame was in all nations
round about Jerusalem. He was so wise that he knew every spoken
language; yes, but more than this, he could talk with everything that
lived, trees and flowers, beasts and fowls, creeping things and fishes.
What a very pleasant thing that was for Solomon, to be sure! And how
glad one would be nowadays to have such knowledge!

Solomon was especially fond of birds, and loved to talk with them
because their voices were so sweet and they spoke such beautiful words.
One day the wise King was chatting pleasantly with the birds who lived
in his wonderful garden, and these are some of the things which he heard
them say. The Nightingale, the sweetest singer of all, chanted,--

"Contentment is the greatest happiness."

"It would be better for most people never to have been born," crooned
the melancholy Turtle-Dove.

The happy little Swallow gave her opinion,--"Do good and you will be
rewarded hereafter."

The harsh cry of the Peacock meant, "As thou judgest so shalt thou be
judged."

The Hoopoe said, "He who has no pity for others will find none for
himself."

The cynical old Crow croaked disagreeably, "The further away from men I
am, the better I am pleased."

Last of all the Cock who sings in the morning chanted his joyous
song,--"Think of your Creator, O foolish creatures!"

When they had finished talking King Solomon softly stroked the head of
the pretty little Dove and bade her cheer up, for life was not so
dreadful a thing, after all. And he gave her permission to build her
nest under the walls of the great Temple which he was building, the most
beautiful, golden house in the whole world. Some years afterward the
Doves had so increased in numbers that with their extended wings they
formed a veil over the numberless pilgrims who came