I do not think we usually consider how
much larger and stronger than the birds
and squirrels we are, when we hurl stones
at them. Supposing a giant as tall as the
maple-tree in front of your house were to
shoot a stone the size of a grindstone at
you, out of a mighty sling-shot, do you
not imagine it would hurt, if he hit you ?
Even if he missed and the great stone
whizzed by your head, would not your
hair stand up with fright ?

I remember as well as though it were
yesterday, the remorse of a small boy,
who threw a stone at a towhee bunting,
while on the way to school. The bunting
was sitting in an alder bush, cheerily
calling " Cheewink, cheewink " to the
passer-by.
Now the small boy had no intention of



76 ^tnunt^ of tftt Evttn

hurting the cheewink, but he was carry-
ing a fine round stone, that he had just
taken from the brook, in his hand, and
the hand let the stone go at the bunting
before the small boy knew what he was
doing.
There was a frightened twitter, a swish
in the bush, and the stone rolled away in
the grass. The boy peeped excitedly into
the bush, but no bird was to be seen.
Then he looked upon the ground beyond
the bush and saw two pathetic little feet
pointing up out of the grass at him.
" You did this, you are a murderer," they
seemed to be saying.
