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A Lark nested in a field of corn, and was rearing her brood under

cover of the ripening grain. One day, before the young were fully

fledged, the Farmer came to look at the crop, and, finding it

yellowing fast, he said, "I must send round word to my neighbours

to come and help me reap this field." One of the young Larks

overheard him, and was very much frightened, and asked her mother

whether they hadn't better move house at once. "There's no

hurry," replied she; "a man who looks to his friends for help

will take his time about a thing." In a few days the Farmer came

by again, and saw that the grain was overripe and falling out of

the ears upon the ground. "I must put it off no longer," he said;

"This very day I'll hire the men and set them to work at once."

The Lark heard him and said to her young, "Come, my children, we

must be off: he talks no more of his friends now, but is going to

take things in hand himself."

Self-help is the best help.

THE LION AND THE ASS