SheepTHE HAPPY FAMILY.
Sheep
There were eight boys and girls of the name ofFreelove; their kind parents taught them to do as they were bid in all things. They were the happiest children in the world; for, being used to control, they thought it no hardship to obey their friends. When one of themhad a mind to do anything, and was not sure whether it would be right, he went in to inquire, and was always content with the answer. If it was proper, he was certain to have leave: and if it was not proper, he had no longer a wish to do it, but was glad that he had asked.
Mr. and Mrs.Freelovetook great pains with their children, and taught them, as soon as they could learn, all that was proper for their age; and they took delight in learning, so that it was a pleasure to teach them.
Such a family is the most pleasing scene upon earth.
The children were all very fond ofeach other. No one had an idea of feeling joy in which the rest did not share. If one child had an apple, or a cake, he always parted it into eight pieces; and the owner kept the smallest for himself; and when any little treasure was given which could not be so divided, the rest were summoned to see it, to play with it, and to receive all the pleasure which it could afford.
The little folks were fond of books: the elder ones would often lay aside their own, to read aloud to the younger ones in such as were suited to them. In short, they were a family of perfect love. Each boy had a little piece of groundfor a garden, in which he might work to amuse himself. It would have made you smile to see how earnest they were at their work—digging, planting, weeding, and sometimes they had leave to water. Each was ready to lend any of his tools to his brother. Each was happy to assist in any plan, if his brother needed help.
The boys did the chief work in their sisters’ gardens; and their greatest joy was to present little nosegays to their mother and sisters.
There were sheep kept upon the lawn; the pretty creatures were so tame that they would eat out of a person’s hand.You may believe that the children were very fond of feeding them; they often gave them their little barrow full of greens. There was no danger of the little folks not thinking to perform so pleasing a task as this. One dayGeorgewas reading aloud to a younger brother, whose name wasWilliam—‘Do as you would be done by.’
William.Pray what does that mean?
George.I will show you now; you hear the sheep bleat.
So he ran and got some greens, and gave to the sheep.
George.You see what it is to do aswe would be done by; the poor sheep are hungry and I feed them.
William.I should like to feed them; but I have no greens.
George.Here are some of mine: take some, and give to them.
William.I thank you, brother; now you do to me as you would wish to be done by.
The next day, Williamsaw a poor woman standing on the outside of the iron gates. She looked pensive; and the child said:
What do you want, poor woman?
Woman.A piece of bread; for I have had none to eat.
Williamhad a bit in his hand; he had just begun to eat it. He stopped, and thought to himself—If I had nothing to eat, and I saw a person who had a great piece of bread, what should I wish?—that he should give me some. So the good child broke off all but a very little bit, (for he was very hungry) and said,
You shall have this bread which the maid gave me just now. We should ‘do as we would be done by.’
Good boy! said his mother, who chanced to pass that way, come andkiss me.Williamran to his dear mother, and hugged her; saying, I am never so happy as when you say, good boy.
Mother.I was seeking forMaryto tell her thatMrs. Lovechildhas sent to have you all go with us: but for your reward, you shall carry the message to the rest. Go; I know it will give you great pleasure to rejoice your brothers and sisters.