Read "The Fire-Hangbird's Nest" by Eugene Field online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
As I am sitting in the sun upon the porch to-day, / I look with wonder at the elm that stands across the way; / I say and mean "with wonder," for now it seems to me / That elm is not as tall as years ago it used to be! / The old fire-hangbird's built her nest therein for many springs -- / High up amid the sportive winds the curious cradle swings, / But not so high as when a little boy I did my best / To scale that elm and carry off the old fire-hangbird's nest!
The Hubbard boys had tried in vain to reach the homely prize / That dangled from that upper outer twig in taunting wise, / And once, when Deacon Turner's boy had almost grasped the limb, / He fell! and had to have a doctor operate on him! / Philetus Baker broke his leg and Orrin Root his arm -- / But what of that? The danger gave the sport a special charm! / The Bixby and the Cutler boys, the Newtons and the rest / Ran every risk to carry off the old fire-hang-bird's nest!