The Magpie’s Nest

Long, long ago, the birds did not know how to build nests. They laid their eggs on the bare ground or on bumpy branches, and the eggs kept rolling away. But the magpie was very clever, and she knew exactly how to build a fine nest. So all the birds came and gathered around her. “Please, Magpie, teach us how to build a nest,” they said.

“Very well,” said the magpie, “watch carefully, and I will show you.” First, she took some mud and shaped it into a round little bowl. “So that’s the trick!” said the thrush, and off she flew. And to this day, the thrush lines her nest with mud.

Next, the magpie took some twigs and laid them all around the mud. “That looks easy enough!” said the blackbird, and away he flew. And to this day, the blackbird’s nest is made of twigs and mud.

Then the magpie spread another layer of mud over the twigs. “I knew that already!” said the owl, and he flew off too. The owl never learned any more, and to this day his nest is a bit of a mess.

Then the magpie wove more twigs around the outside. “That will do for me!” said the sparrow, and off he went. And to this day, the sparrow builds a scruffy sort of nest.

Next, the magpie gathered soft feathers and wool and lined the inside, so it was warm and cozy. “How lovely and soft!” said the starling, and away she flew. And to this day, the starling’s nest is soft and cozy inside.

All this time, the turtle dove sat on a branch, cooing the same thing over and over. “Take two, take two, take two!” The magpie was holding just one twig, and she was getting cross. “One is plenty, you silly bird!” said the magpie. But the turtle dove only cooed, “Take two, take two, take two!” By now, almost every bird had flown away, and the magpie was tired of teaching. So she flew off, and she never showed anyone how to finish a nest again.

That is why every bird builds a different kind of nest. The turtle dove, who did not listen at all, still builds a flimsy nest of just a few sticks. If you listen in the woods, you can still hear her cooing, “Take two, take two!”