"Ah, you pretty little creature," said the lady, "you are building too low. Soon the destroyer will come and break up your sweet home."
And so it was. The days passed by; the nest was finished, and then there were eggs in the nest, and then four great big mouths were open whenever the low chirp of the mother announced that she had something for them to eat.
One day the lady sat by the window sewing. Suddenly she heard the cry of the birds, in the deepest distress, and she looked out to see what was the matter. There was a great snake that had crawled up and was devouring the helpless little ones, while just above them the poor heartbroken mother fluttered about in the wildest distraction. But it was too late; her children were gone, and her home was left desolate, a sad reminder of her folly in building so near the ground.
So I think it is with people who have no higher ambition than earthly pleasures, wealth or honors. They build too low. Their heart's home is in easy reach of death and the devil, and depend upon it the destroyer will come, soon or late. -- H. M. Wharton.
By J. Wilbur Chapan, "Present Day Parables."