If Hespie had not had her wheel to play with, her life would have been quite dull.  One time her wheel was corked up so that she could not go inside.  She became quite angry and ran in and out of her bed-box, hardly knowing what to do.  Her rage did not last long, however, and she was soon frolicking about the cage and singing.  The song sounded at first like the cooing of a dove; then it changed to quick notes more like the cuckoo; and, after that, the noise was like the tapping of Mr. Woodpecker on a tree.

One of Hespie’s favorite games, which she played with the children, they called “hauling in the lines.”  She seemed never to grow tired of it.  The children would hold a long cotton cord, while Hespie sat upon her hind legs and pulled it in like a sailor, hand over hand.  Then the children would pull it out again just to see her pull it in.

Happy little Hespie often sang when she ate.  One day a small twig with insects’ eggs on it was handed to her.  She sat up straight in her cunning way, took the twig in her hands, and held it in her mouth.  While she nibbled, she sang; so that she looked very much like a little musician playing a fife.

—­Written for Dew Drops by Susanne C. Umlauf.

When we wish to help others, it is wonderful how many ways open before us.

Our lesson.—­For Feb. 22.

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Prepared by Marguerite Cook.

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Title.—­Faith Destroying Fear.—­Luke 12:1-12.

Golden Text.—­Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the
Son of man also confess before the angels of God.—­Luke 12:  8.

Beginners Golden Text.—­He careth for you.—­1 Peter 5:  7.

Truth.—­Jesus claims as friends before the angels of God those who claim him before men.

1.  The people loved to listen to Jesus as he taught them.

[Illustration]

2.  Sometimes they crowded so closely around him that they trod upon one another.

3.  One day in a crowd like this Jesus spoke to his disciples quietly.

4.  He warned them to beware of some of those in the crowd who would like to teach them things that were not true.

[Illustration]

5.  Jesus said people who tried to hide their evil ways and pretend to be good were hypocrites.

6.  He warned them that nothing can be hidden from God.

7.  In the end those who try to deceive are found out.

[Illustration:  Be Sure Your Sin Will find you out]

8.  Jesus said God knows and loves us.

9.  He loves even the little birds and all things that he has made.

10.  Jesus said five sparrows are sold for two farthings, yet God does not forget one of them.

[Illustration]

11.  God loves and cares for us his own dear children, and Jesus said that even the hairs of our head are numbered.