THE BOY WHO KNEW WHAT THE BIRDS SAID
who would throw a cap would throw a stone. Do nothing at all for him."
"I'll sing for him," said the Goldfinch.
"I'll teach him what the Birds say," said the Crow.
"If he knew the Language of the Birds he would be like King Solomon," said the Raven.
"Let us make him like King Solomon," said the Goldfinch.
"Yes, yes, yes," said all the Birds in the King's Garden.
The Boy had not gone far when the Crow flew after him and lighted on his shoulder. The Crow spoke to him in the Boy's own language. The Boy was surprised. The Crow flew to a standing stone and went on speaking plain words to him.
"O," said the Boy, "I didn't know you could speak. "
"Why shouldn't I know how to speak," said the Crow, "haven't I, for a hundred years and more, been watching men and listening to their words? Why shouldn't I be able to speak?"
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