A YOUNG fly was with her mother upon the wall of a chimney, rather near to a pot, where someone was cooking soup. The old fly, who had some other affairs, said to her daughter in flying away, “Remain where thou art, my child; do not leave thy place until my return.” “Why therefore, mamma?” asked the little one. “Because I have fear that you will approach too near to this boiling source.” (It is the pot which she called thus.) “And why is it that I must not approach unto it?” “Because thou wouldst fall in, and thou wouldst be drowned there.” “And why should I tumble in there?” “I cannot tell the reason of it; but believe in my experience! Each time a fly has ventured to fly upon one of these sources, from whence exhales so many vapors, I have always seen that she fell in there, without over getting up again.” The mother believed she had said enough, and flew away. But the little one, laughing at her advice, said to herself, “Old people are always too careful. Why wish to deprive Me of the innocent pleasure of fluttering a little on this smoking source? Have not wings, and am I not prudent enough to avoid accidents? In short, mamma, you have spoken beautifully, and I allege your experience; but I will amuse myself in fluttering a little round this source, and I would wish to know well what would make me fall into it.”
She flies away in saying this; but hardly was she above the pot when, rendered giddy by the vapor which ascended from it, she fell there. Before expiring, she had enough time to utter quickly these words: “Unhappy children who do not attend unto the advice of their parents!”
[A correspondent, who gives us his name and address, but wishes to be called “Cherry Ripe,” sends us the above; and as a translation and a first attempt of a boy thirteen years of age, we give it a corner, as it will doubtless amuse our young readers. “Cherry Ripe” gives no moral for it needs none — the point is plain low often are me like the silly little fly — we little ones —running into danger, because we think we arc so wise and strong. It just calls to mind a verse in James 1:5, 65If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 6But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. (James 1:5‑6).― ED.]