42 THE MAGPIE'S LESSON

One spring all the birds wanted to build their nests. “The magpie knows how, ”they said, “Let us ask her to show us. She makes the best nest.”

“Yes, come and watch me, ”said the Magpie, “See! First I take some mud. Then I shape it like a cup.”

“Oh, I see how to do it! ”said the thrush.

Away she flew to build her nest. So all thrushes have a nest like a mud-cup.

“Next I get some sticks, ”said the magpie, “I lay them in the mud.”

“Now I know all about it, ”said the blackbird. Away she flew to build her nest. So the blackbird's nest is nothing but mud and sticks.

“Then I take some twigs, ”said the magpie, “I wind them around the nest.”

“That is a fine plan, ”said the sparrow. Away she flew to build her nest. So the sparrows always make a rough nest of twigs.

“Now I take soft feathers to make a lining for the nest, ”said the magpie.

“That suits me, ”said the swallow. Away she flew to build her nest. So the swallows all have warm nests lined with soft feathers.

“Last, I take more mud and sticks, ”said the magpie, “to build the nest higher.”

But none of the birds heard her. They had all gone to build their nests.

So that is why the nests of birds are not alike.

The magpie's nest is still the best of all.

(Old English Tale)

Word list

magpie: a long-tailed black and white bird

mud: a mix and water and dirt

twigs: small sticks

alike: similar to

You Practice

A) Answer the following questions.

1) Who showed all the other birds how to build a nest?

2) Why did the thrush fly away after the magpie had only shown the first step?

3) What can twigs be used for?

4) Why do some of the birds line their nests with feathers?

5) What can we learn from this story?

B) What came first? Put the following items in order.

1) November March July February May

2) 3:22 AM 12:00 3:28 PM 10:26 PM 1:30AM

3) You begin walking.

You start school.

You are born.

You drink from a bottle.

You ride a bicycle.

C) True or false? Read these sentences carefully. Write true or false for each one.

1) _____ All the birds built their nests in the same way.

2) _____ Magpies make the best nests.

3) _____ Swallows make very soft nests.

4) _____ Thrushes put feathers in their nests.

5) _____ Magpies build their nests on the ground.