The Lark and Her Young Ones
A Lark's nest sits in the Farmer's wheat field, and she stays calm while he waits for neighbors and relatives to help. When he says he will reap it himself, she flies away with her young ones at sunrise.
Scene 1: A Nest in the Wheat
The Lark and Her Young Ones. A Lark made her nest in a field of young green wheat. As the days passed, the wheat stalks grew tall, and the young birds grew strong. Then one day, the ripe golden grain waved in the breeze.
Scene 2: Neighbors and Friends
The Farmer and his son came into the field, and the Farmer said: “This wheat is now ready for reaping. We must call in our neighbors and friends to help us harvest it.” The young Larks were very frightened. When their mother came back with food, they told her what they had heard. The Mother Lark said: “Do not be frightened, children. If the Farmer waits for his neighbors and friends, this wheat will not be reaped for a while yet.”
Scene 3: Kith and Kin
A few days passed, but no neighbors and no friends came. The Farmer looked at his wheat, and said to his son: “Our friends have not come. Go and ask our relatives to help us.” The little Larks were frightened again. But their mother said: “Hush, my darlings, go to sleep. Our nest is safe a little longer.” And she was right. Not one relative came.
Scene 4: We Must Do It Ourselves
A few days later, the wheat was so ripe that grains came rustling down on the young Larks’ heads. The Farmer said: “If this wheat is not harvested at once, we shall lose half the crop. We cannot wait any longer. Tomorrow we must set to work ourselves.” When the young Larks told their mother, she said: “Then we must be off at once. When a man decides to do his own work, there will be no more delay.”
Scene 5: An Empty Nest
There was much fluttering and trying out of wings that afternoon. At sunrise the next day, the Larks flew away over the golden wheat. When the Farmer and his son came to cut the grain, they found an empty nest. Self-help is the best help.
Moral: Self-help is the best help.
Questions about The Lark and Her Young Ones
Where did the Lark make her nest?
In a field of wheat.
Who did the Farmer first say he would call to help him?
His neighbors and friends.
Who did the Farmer send his son to ask next?
Their relatives.
What came rustling down on the young Larks' heads?
Grains of wheat.
What did the Farmer and his son find when they came to cut the grain?
An empty nest.
More stories to read aloud
- The Lion and the Mouse — A Lion catches a little Mouse but laughs and lets her go when she promises to repay him.
- The Hare and the Tortoise — A boastful Hare laughs at the slow Tortoise, so the Tortoise challenges him to a race.
- Belling the Cat — The Mice hold a council and a young Mouse has a clever plan: hang a bell about the Cat’s neck.