"Oh, boys, don't throw stones at the poor bird," said an old grey-headed man.
"Sir," said a little one,＂she makes such a loud noise that we can't bear her. "
"I am afraid the stone will rebound (反弹) and hurt you as long as you live!"
"Rebound! We don't understand you, sir!"
"Well, I will tell you a true story.
"Fifty years ago, I liked throwing stones because I had no other boy to play with and I became very skillful. One day I went to work for an old couple who were very friendly to everybody, even to the birds. And the birds seemed to love the old couple, too. For seven years a bird had come and built her nest (鸟巢) in the same place. She and her mate had just returned on the day I went to work and the old couple welcomed them happily. During the day, I thought I would try my skill upon her. Suddenly the bird flew to a tree near me. I found a nice stone, and I threw it with my best skill. It hit the bird on the head and she dropped dead！
"I was sorry the moment I saw her fall off the tree. But it was too late. All day long her mate flew about, and chirped (发啁啾声) so sadly that he made my heart ache. . I said nothing to the old couple but one of their grandchildren told them about it. Though the old couple never said a word to me, I knew that they were very sad. I could never look them in the eye and tell them how sorry I was. They have been dead for many, many years, and so has the poor bird. But don't you see how that stone rebounded, and hit me? For fifty years I have still remembered it though I have never spoken of it before. But if what I have told you will stop you, I will be happy. "
The boys at once dropped the stones in their hands and the bird had no more trouble from them.
