their nests. Perhaps the lesson is too obvious. The people who
never steal nests and who always treat birds lovingly will approve of
the verses, but the boy to be reached is the one who does destroy nests
and frightens or kills their owners or the boy who is liable to be led
to do such things. Such a child may have no interest in the verses, may
laugh at the sentiment, even if he can be induced to read or listen to
the rhymes. Sometimes interest can be created and good effects produced
by making prominent every feature except the moral. This can be made
into a little play or dialogue with the following characters:

The Yellow-breast
The Cow
The Dog
The Bobolink
The Sheep
The Crow
The Hen
A Bird
Mary Green
Alice Neal
The Little Boy

Unfortunately, there is only one boy character and he is any boy, in
fact almost every boy, at some time in his life. But he is so ashamed
that he doesn't speak, not even to give his name. Suppose, then, we
don't mention him at all. Just leave him off the list. If he isn't
mentioned and is in the audience, he'll remember what he has done and
feel ashamed and go home and perhaps hide behind the bed and resolve
never to steal another nest. Yes, we are inclined to agree with you that
the poem might be better if there were no last stanza. So the little
drama, in outline, is something like this.

_The Yellow-breast._ Who stole my nest and the four eggs I laid?

_The Cow._ I didn't take your nest. I wouldn't do such a thing. I gave
you a wisp of hay.

_The Yellow-breast._ Who stole my nest? Bobolink, who do you think stole
my nest from the plum tree?

_The Dog._ (Interrupting). I didn't; I wouldn't be so mean. I gave my
hairs to make the nest.

_The Yellow-breast._ Now listen to me. Who stole my nest, Bobolink?

_The Bobolink._ Yes, who stole the Yellow-breast's pretty nest?

_The Sheep._ Not I. I wouldn't treat a bird so. I gave my wool to line
the nest.

_The Yellow-breast._ Who stole my nest, I say?

_The Bobolink._ Who stole her nest?

_The Crow._ I should like to know the thief. Who was it?

_The Hen._ Don't ask me. The chicks and I each gave a feather and she
used them. We would be ashamed to intrude on her.

_A Bird._ Let's all make a stir and find out who it is. Then we'll cry
"For shame!" together.

_Mary Green._ I wouldn't rob a bird. I never heard anything so mean.

_Alice Neal._ It is very cruel. I wonder if the thief knew how sad the
Ye