_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee! Will you listen to me? Who stole four eggs I laid And the nice nest I made?
_Bobolink._ Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link! Now what do you think? Who stole a nest away From the plum tree, to-day?
_Cuckoo._ Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Let me speak a word, too! Who stole that pretty nest From little Yellow-breast?
_Sheep._ Not I! Oh, no! Oh, no! I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so. I gave wool the nest to line; But the nest was none of mine! Oh, no! Oh, no! I wouldn’t treat a poor bird so.
_Yellow-breast._ To-whit, to-whit, to-whee! Will you listen to me? Who stole four eggs I laid And the nice nest I made?
_Bobolink._ Bob-o-link! Bob-o-link! Now what do you think? Who stole a nest away From the plum tree, to-day?
_Cuckoo._ Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Coo-coo! Let me speak a word, too. Who stole that pretty nest From little Yellow-breast?
_Crow._ Caw, caw! Hear the crow! I should like to know What thief took away A bird’s nest, to-day?
_Hen._ Cluck! Cluck! Hear me then! Don’t ask me again! Why, I haven’t a chick Would do such a trick! We all gave her a feather And she wove them together. I’d scorn to intrude On her and her brood. Cluck, cluck! hear me then, Don’t ask me again.
_Bobolink_,<br>_Cuckoo_,<br>_Crow._ Chirr-a-whirr! Chirr-a-whirr! All the birds make a stir, Let us find out his name And all cry “For shame!”
_Little Boy._ I stole that pretty nest From poor little Yellow-breast. And I feel so full of shame I do not like to tell my name!
_Boastful Bamboo_ _Little Tree_ _Boy_ _Girl_ _Woodcutter_
_Boastful Bamboo._ Little bamboo tree, you bow and bend to every wind that blows. A bamboo tree should never show fear. Look at me! I stand straight and strong and bow to no one.
_Little Tree._ I know you are strong. You are much stronger than I am. I am only fit to trim the houses for the New Year’s feast. But you will be used in making some great house or maybe in making a palace.
_Boastful Bamboo._ Only that! I shall be chosen for the mast of a big ship. Every one will look at me and say, “See what a beautiful mast that ship has!” As for you, timid little tree, you will never be brave enough even to deck the New Year’s feast.
_Little Tree._ Who knows? If I grow straight and strong. I may be chosen to do some good in the world!