Page images
PDF
EPUB

off as he lay at his new master's feet and warmed them. Every day since, he has led him safely through the crowded streets, putting himself between his master and danger if there was any. any. And every day he begs for him from the people, standing patiently upon his hind legs with a little tin cup in his mouth.

"When his master is ill he stands in the street alone, and many a one who does not feel for the poor beggar gives a penny to the faithful little dog!

"When the blind beggar dies no one will mourn for him; no one will sit upon his grave. No one will wish for him to come back again except the little cur dog, that has been his friend since all the world forsook him. Poor blind man!

دو

[blocks in formation]

Gratitude, kindness shown in return for anything.

THE LITTLE DOG.

A VERY little dog said to his mother one day, "What shall I do for our good master? I cannot draw or carry him, like the horse; nor give him milk, like the cow. I cannot lend him my wool for his clothing, like the sheep; nor catch mice and rats so well as the cat. I cannot divert him with singing like the can a'ries and linnets; nor can I chase away the robbers, like the watch'dog Towzer. I should not be of use to him even were I dead, as the hogs It seems to me that I am good for nothing.' So saying, the poor little dog hung down his head in silent sorrow.

are.

[ocr errors]

"My dear child," replied his mother, "though you can do none of the things you say, yet a hearty good will is enough to serve for them all. Do but love him dearly, and show your love in every way you can, you will be sure to please him."

Perverse, self-willed.
Pitiful, asking for pity.
Befel, happened.

THE SELF-WILLED PIG.

IT happen'd one day, as the other pigs tell,
In course of their walk they drew near to a well,
So wide and so deep, with so smooth a wall round,
That a pig tumbling in was sure to be drown'd.

But a perverse little brother, foolish as ever,
Still boasting himself very cunning and clever,
Now made up his mind that, whatever befel,
He would run on before and jump over the well.

Then away he ran off to one side of the well,
Climb'd up on the wall, slipp'd, and headlong he fell,
And now from the bottom his pitiful shout
Was, "Oh mother! I'm in: pray do help me out!"

She ran to the side when she heard his complaint,
And she then saw him struggling, weakly and faint,
Yet no help could she give! But "My children" cried she,
"How often I've fear'd a sad end his would be!"

"Oh, mother, dear mother!" the drowning pig cried, "I see all this comes of my folly and pride!"

He could not speak more, but he sank down and died, Whilst his mother and brothers wept round the well-side!

[blocks in formation]

THERE was once a big ugly Wolf, and he took a Fox to live with him. Now, the tiny Fox had to do whatever the Wolf wanted, else the big Wolf would have eaten him up.

So, one day they were going through a wood. The Wolf said, "Red Fox, red Fox, get me something to eat or I shall eat you!" The Fox answered, "I know where there is a couple of nice wee lambs. May I go and fetch one?" To be sure he might, so off he set.

Well, Foxy went, and back he soon came with the tiny lamb in his teeth. The big Wolf munch'd it up in less than no time, for he was

hungry.

very

Mister Wolf licked his lips, and thought he would like the other lamb too. And to make quite sure of it, he went him self.

Well, when he got to the farm-yard, the old sheep spied the big Wolf-he made such a noise. So she bleated and bleated as if her heart would break.

Out rushed the farmer to see what was the matter. O dear! there he sees the big ugly Wolf. So he takes up a thick stick and beats him aw.fully. Mister Wolf did not like the stick at all, at all; and away he trotted, howling as only a wolf can howl.

When he came to the Fox, he said, "I went to fetch the other lamb, but the great ugly farmer and beat me like a savage.' found Why are you such a glutton?" replied the Fox.

me,

[ocr errors]

66

[blocks in formation]

into the fields the The big Wolf said, something to eat, or

Next day, they went out big Wolf and the tiny Fox. "Red Fox, red Fox, get me I shall eat you!" Then the Fox answered, "I know a farm where the wife is baking pancakes. Let us go and get some." So the Fox went.

When he got to the house, he sniffed and he sniffed about, and at last he found the dish of pancakes. Well, he took just six, and away he went to the Wolf. The big hungry Wolf gobbled them all up, and he liked them so well that he thought he could eat some more. Well, to make quite sure of them away he went himself. he was so clumsy that he pulled down the dish and it broke in pieces.

The platter

Of course

Made such a clitter-clatter,

That the wife came out in a flutter
To see what was the matter.

But

Now, the goodwife expected to see the cat running out. But no! there stood the great, shaggy Wolf. The woman shrieked loud enough to bring down the house, as you may guess. So all the menfolks came with thick sticks, and they basted the beast of a Wolf willingly enough.

66

O dear! how he howled. And then away he ran limping to Master Fox. "A nice peck of troubles you have brought me into," said he, "those brutes of men have nearly flayed me alive." Why, then, are you such a glutton?" said the Fox.

66

[blocks in formation]

The next morning, the Wolf was in a sad plight He was sore all over, and went hobble, hobble, as if he had forgotten how to walk. But he was hungry for his break fast for all that.

66

The Wolf said, "Red Fox, red Fox, get me some thing to eat, or I shall eat you!" Well," answered the Fox, "I know a butcher who has been killing; and he has put all the meat into a tub in the cellar." Then said the Wolf, "Let us be off, and we shall go together this time. That will be safer."

Well, off they went, and in the cellar they found loads of meat. "Ah!" cried the Wolf, "this is grand! Plenty to eat and time to eat it." So he set to, with a will.

The tiny Fox too came in for a share, and he wagged his brush with joy. But every bite or two, he would run about to see that no one was coming.

[ocr errors]

"Friend Fox," said the Wolf, "why are you so fidgety? Can't you sit still and enjoy yourself?" Well," replied the Fox, "I think it is time to go. "Oh, indeed!" said the greedy Wolf, "I am not going till the tub is empty."

[ocr errors]

Now, the butcher heard the noise in the cellar. So in he came with a thick stick. Master Fox was too quick for him and got off into the woods. But as to the Wolf, he tried to get through the hole he had come in by, but it was too smallhe had eaten so much. He stuck fast, and the butcher beat him, and beat him, and beat him to death.

« PreviousContinue »