Feed the Birds

The Milk of Human Kindness

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house.   However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.   Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water.   She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk.   He drank it slowly, and then asked.   "How much do I owe you?" "You don't owe me anything," she replied.   "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness." He said, "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also.   He had been ready to give up and quit.

Year's later that young woman became critically ill.   The local doctors were baffled.   They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.   Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation.   When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.   Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to room.   Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her.   He recognized her at once.   He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life.   From that day he gave special attention to the case.   After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval.   He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room.   She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all.   Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill.   She read these words: "Paid in full with one glass of milk."

Feed the Birds


Performed by: Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews)
Written by: Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes.
In her own special way to the people she calls,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs.

Come feed the little birds, show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do.
Their young ones are hungry,
Their nests are so bare;
All it takes is tuppence from you."

Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag.
"Feed the birds," that's what she cries,
While overhead, her birds fill the skies.

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares.
Although you can't see it, you know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares.

Though her words are simple and few,
Listen, listen, she's calling to you:
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag,
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag."