flying about in the air, and heard the hum of the bees as they were
going abroad for honey, or returning loaded to the hive, and they
could not understand why they might not wander about too. The red
clover looked very beautiful, and the white clover was so fragrant,
they longed to ramble in it. They thought their mother unnecessarily
strict, because she wished to keep them with her, instead of
permitting them to see all the pretty things of which they could now
and then catch a glimpse, as they peeped through the cracks of the
rabbit-house.

Children sometimes feel unpleasantly because they are not permitted to
play in the street. Ah! they are as ignorant of danger as the poor
ducklings and they are too young to understand the peril to which they
are exposed. Even if their mother should explain it to them, they
could realize but little about it. It is by far the better way for
children to feel that their mother knows best, and to be satisfied
that her reasons are good and sufficient even if they do not know what
they are.

I once heard a distinguished clergyman say he had always observed that
those persons who had learned to obey their parents promptly, most
readily yielded to the claims of God, and became converted, while
those who had always liked their own way had generally a long, severe
struggle, before they were willing to give up their sins, and
oftentimes could not make up their minds to do so, and, though deeply
convicted, remained impenitent.

It is a fearful thought that, if you form a habit of disobedience to
your parents, it may cost you the salvation of your soul.