"Peewit! Peewit!" cried the lapwing, as he flew over the in the wood. " Spring is coming! I can feel it in my legs and wings."  
When the new grass, which lay below in the earth, heard this, it at once began to and peeped out from between the old yellow straw. For the grass is always in an immense hurry.
 
Now the in among the trees had also heard the lapwing's cry, but refused on any account to appear above the earth:
 
"You mustn't believe the lapwing," they whispered to one another. "He's a flighty customer and not to be trusted. He always comes too early and starts calling at once. No, we will wait quietly till the starling and the swallow come. They are sensible, sober people, who are not to be taken in and who know what they are about."
 
And the starlings came.
 
They perched on a outside their summer and looked about them:
 
"Too early, as usual," said Mr. Starling. "Not a green leaf and not a fly, except an old tough one of last year, not worth opening one's for."
 
Mrs. Starling said nothing, but looked none too cheerful either.
 
"If we had only remained in our winter-quarters beyond the mountains!" said Mr. Starling. He was angry because his wife did not answer, for he was so cold that he thought a little discussion might do him good. "But it's your fault, just as last year. You're always in such a terrible hurry to come out to the country."
 
"If I'm in a hurry, I know the reason why," said Mrs. Starling. "And it would be a shame for you if you didn't know too, for they are your eggs just as much as mine."
 
"Heaven forbid!" replied Mr. Starling, indignantly. "When have I denied my family? Perhaps you expect me, over and above, to sing to you in the cold?"
 
"Yes, that I do............