How we cite our quotes: (Stanza.Line)
Quote #1
"This bird," murmured Thidwick, "is sort of a pest!
But I'm a good sport, so I'll just let him rest,
For a host, above all, must be nice to his guest." (12.2-4)
Thidwick doesn't really want to be nice to the bird; in fact, he'd like to give it a not-so-compassionate piece of his mind. But he figures the bird just needs a little rest, and maybe he'll wake up on a better side of the nest. Then again…
Quote #2
"Besides, now, it's getting quite late in the day
And surely tomorrow they'll all go away."
[…]
But, alas! The next morning
The sun's early light
Brought to Thidwick's sad eyes
A most unwelcome sight…. (13.1-2; 14.1-4))
… maybe not. It turns out this is the bird's better nature. And he's invited his new wife and her uncle to live on Thidwick's head. Birds of a feather flock unkindly together, right?
Quote #3
Now the big friendless moose walked alone and forlorn,
With four great big woodpecker holes in his horn. (20.1-2)
Thidwick's kindness has led him to invite a host of animals to live on top of his head, yet he is described as being "alone and forlorn." He's getting nothing in return for his decency, not even friendship. Sad face.
Quote #4
"We're fair," said the bug.
"We'll decide this by vote.
All those in favor of going, say 'AYE,'
All those in favor of staying, say 'NAY'."[…]
"AYE!" shouted Thidwick,
But when he was done… (31.1-4; 32.1-2)
Thidwick tries to stand up for himself, but he lets the vote of the others squash his own voice. In this relationship, kindness is a one-way street, and Thidwick is dazed with that moose-in-the-headlights looks.
Quote #5
And he called to the pests on his horns as he threw 'em,
"You wanted my horns; now you're quite welcome to 'em!
Keep 'em! They're yours!" (48.1-3)
Thidwick has finally decided to be compassionate to the one person who needs it most: himself. Sometimes you've got to be a little cruel to be kind.