"B-but we have," they said. "We have a father and a mother."
"Supposing I had been killed," said their mother, "don't you think your aunt would have helped your father care for you?"
"Yes, ma'am," answered all three.
"Then don't you think I ought to help feed your cousins?" said she.
"Yes, ma'am," was the very meek reply.
"Now," said she, "are you willing I should feed your cousins, too?"
"Yes, ma'am," said they, and each was trying to say it first. "We will be good. We won't be cross any more."
Such a meal as the three little Blackbirds had then! It is a wonder that there were not three stomach-aches in that nest at once. When all had been fed and were half asleep under their mother's warm breast, the oldest one said to his sisters: "It must be dreadful not to have enough to eat any of the time. I believe I am glad they fed our cousins."
"We are glad," said the others, and then they went to sleep. So the little Blackbirds learned their first lesson in unselfishness, and they learned it as larger people often have to do, by having a hard time themselves.