was easy enough to find a nest in a
hollow tree. He secured from the nest two birds just ready to fly. He
made a cage for them out of willow rods. He placed the cage at the
entrance of his cave and studied how he would feed them. Much to his
surprise the parent birds discovered their young ones and brought them
food and fed them through the open work of the cage.

When the birds were grown they rapidly learned to talk. Robinson took
great delight in teaching them. He taught them to call his name and when
he came near they would call out, "Poor old Robinson Crusoe!"

These birds remained for many years with Robinson. In fact, he was never
afterward without a parrot. They helped him to pass away very
pleasantly many hours that without them would have been sad.

Another bird that Robinson loved was the little house wren. This bird
was exceedingly tame and friendly. It was a very sweet and strong
singer. It loved to make its nest in or near his shelter. There it would
build and rear its young, within reach of his hands, while its throat
was always bursting with melody.

The mocking bird, too, always nested near and awakened him in the
morning with its wonderful song.

Robinson became a great friend and favorite of the bird inhabitants of
the island. They seemed to know him and showed no fear when near him.
This pleased him very much.

XXVII

ROBINSON GETS FIRE

Robinson was now pretty comfortable. He had his bower with its chair and
table. He had his cave in case of danger. He had his cellar in which to
keep his meat. He would sit in the shade near the door of his bower and
think of the many things he should be thankful for. But there was one
hardship that Robinson could not get used to and that was the eating of
raw food. "How fine it would be if only I could parch a few grains of
corn in the fire! I could like live a prince," thought he, "if I had
fire. I would grind some of my corn into flour and make some corn bread
or cakes and cook rice." He did so long for roasted meat and determined
again to make the attempt to get fire.

Robinson was fast losing his idle, thoughtless ways of doing things. He
had become a thoughtful and diligent man in the short time that he had
been on the island. Trouble and hardship had made a man of him. "I must
carefully think over the whole matter of getting fire," he said. He had
failed twice and was now resolved to succeed. "If the lightning would
only strike a tree," he