The Rock And The Bubble

Oh! a bare, brown

Stood up in the sea,

The waves at its

Dancing merrily.

A little

Once came sailing by,

And thus to the

Did it gayly cry,—"Ho! clumsy brown stone,

Quick, make way for me:

I'm the fairest

That floats on the sea."See my rainbow-robe,

See my crown of light,

My glittering form,

So airy and bright."O'er the waters blue,

I'm floating away,

To dance by the

With the foam and spray."Now, make way, make way;

For the waves are strong,

And their rippling

Bear me fast along."But the great rock

Straight up in the sea:

It looked gravely down,

And said pleasantly—"Little friend, you

Go some other way;

For I have not stirred this many a long day."Great billows have dashed,

And angry winds blown;

But my sturdy

Is not overthrown."Nothing can stir

In the air or sea;

Then, how can I move,

Little friend, for thee?"Then the waves all

In their voices sweet;

And the sea-birds looked,

From their rocky seat,

At the bubble gay,

Who angrily cried,

While its round cheek

With a foolish pride,—"You

LL move for me;

And you shall not

At the words I say,

You ugly, rough rock."Be silent, wild birds!

While stare you so?

Stop laughing, rude waves,

And help me to go!"For I am the

Of the ocean here,

And this cruel

Cannot make me fear."Dashing fiercely up,

With a scornful word,

Foolish Bubble broke;

But Rock never stirred.

Then said the sea-birds,

Sitting in their

To the little

Leaning on their breasts,—"Be not like Bubble,

Headstrong, rude, and vain,

Seeking by

Your object to gain;"But be like the rock,

Steadfast, true, and strong,

Yet cheerful and kind,

And firm against wrong."Heed, little birdlings,

And wiser you'll

For the lesson

To-day by the sea."