ill. My poor body is without its covering, for see, I have lost my

shell.

_Queen Osa._ Poor Turtle! Come tell me all about it.

_Turtle._ The monkey told me he had left his heart at home and he asked me to take him back so he could get it. I believed him. You know I wanted the heart for you.

_Queen Osa._ You are very kind, Turtle.

_Turtle._ I took him on my back. When we got to the land he sprang off my back and up the nearest tree. He told his brothers what had happened to him. Then they all rushed at me. They tore off my shell and threw my body back into the sea without it.

_Queen Osa._ Poor Turtle! Never mind. I’ll give you another shell, for you did your best. Some one must have been telling the monkey tales. Jellyfish, you were his friend. Do you know anything about this?

_Jellyfish._ I told the monkey that we were going to kill him so that we could get his heart for you. I told him to try and be brave about it.

_Queen Osa._ You are to blame, then, Jellyfish, for all this trouble. To punish you for meddling, I will take away your shell. And you must go without it forever.

—ORIENTAL FABLE.

I WOULD LIKE YOU FOR A COMRADE

_Little Girl._ I would like you for a comrade, for I love you, that I do, I never met a little calf as amiable as you; I would teach you how to dance and sing and how to talk and laugh, If I were not a little girl and you were not a calf.

_Little Calf._ I would like you for a comrade; you should share my barley meal And butt me with your little horns just hard enough to feel; We would lie beneath the chestnut trees and watch the leaves uncurl, If I were not a clumsy calf and you a little girl.

—JUDGE PARRY.

SOUTHWEST WIND’S VISIT TO GLUCK

CHARACTERS

_Gluck_ _Hans_ _Schwartz_ _Little Old Gentleman_

_Gluck._ What a pity my brothers never ask anybody to dinner. I’m sure when they’ve got such a nice piece of mutton as this it would do their hearts good to have somebody to eat it with them. [_Knock sounds at the door._] It must be the wind. Nobody else would dare to knock double knocks at our door. [_Gluck goes to the window._]

_Little Old Gentleman._ Hello! That’s not the way to answer the door. I am wet. Let me in.

_Gluck._ I beg your pardon, sir. I am very sorry, but I really can’t.

_Little Old Gentleman._ Can’t what?

_Gluck._ I can’t let you in. I can’t, indeed. My brother will beat me, sir, if I thought of such a thing. What do you want, sir?

_Little Old Gentleman._ Want? I want fire and shelter. There’s your great fire there blazing, cracking, and dancing on the walls with nobody to feel it. I only want to warm myself.

_Gluck._ He does look very wet. I’ll just let him in for a little while.

[_Opens the door._]

_Little Old Gentleman._ That’s a good boy. Never mind your brothers. I’ll talk to them.

_Gluck._ Pray, sir, don’t do any such thing. I can’t let you stay till they come.

_Little Old Gentleman._ Dear me. I’m very sorry to hear that. How long may I stay?

_Gluck._ Only till the mutton’s done, sir, and it’s very brown. [_Little Old Gentleman seats himself before the fire._] You’ll soon dry there, sir. Mayn’t I take your cloak?

_Little Old Gentleman._ No, thank you.

_Gluck._ Your cap, sir?

_Little Old Gentleman._ I am all right, thank you.

_Gluck._ But, sir! I’m very sorry, but really, sir, you’re putting the fire out.

_Little Old Gentleman._ It’ll take longer to do the mutton then. That mutton looks very nice. Can’t you give me a little bit?

_Gluck._ Impossible, sir.

_Little Old Gentleman._ I’m very hungry. I’ve had nothing to eat yesterday nor to-day. They surely couldn’t miss a bit from the knuckle.

_Gluck._ They promised me one slice to-day, sir. I can give you that.

_Little Old Gentleman._ That’s a good boy.

_Gluck._ [_To himself._] I don’t care if I do get beaten for it. [_Loud rap at the door. Schwartz and Hans enter._]

_Schwartz._ What did you keep us waiting in the rain for?

_Hans._ Ay, what for, indeed!

_Schwartz._ Bless my soul, who’s that?

_Gluck._ I don’t know, indeed, brother.

_Schwartz._ How did he get in?

_Gluck._ My dear brother, he was so very wet.

_Schwartz._ Who are you, sir?

_Hans._ What’s your business?

_Little Old Gentleman._ I am a poor old man, sir, and I saw your fire through the window and begged shelter for a little while.

_Schwartz._ Have the goodness to walk out again, then.

_Little Old Gentleman._ It’s a cold day to turn an old man out, sir. Look at my gray hairs.

_Hans._ Ay, there are enough of them to keep you warm. Walk!

_Little old Gentleman._ I’m very, very hungry, sir. Couldn’t you spare me a bit of bread before I go?

_Schwartz._ Bread, indeed! Do you suppose we’ve nothing to do with our bread but to give it to such fellows as you?

_Hans._ Out with you.

_Little Old Gentleman._ A little bit?

_Schwartz._ Be off!

_Little Old Gentleman._ Pray, gentlemen.

_Hans._ Off!

_Little Old Gentleman._ Gentlemen, I wish you a very good morning. At twelve o’clock to-night I’ll call again. But you will not be surprised if that visit is the last I ever make you.

_Schwartz._ If I ever catch you here again—[_To Gluck._] A very pretty business, indeed, Mr. Gluck. Dish the mutton, sir. If ever I catch you at such a trick again—bless me, why the mutton’s been cut.

_Gluck._ You promised me one slice, brother, you know.

_Schwartz._ Oh, you were cutting it hot, I suppose, and going to catch all the gravy. It will be long before I promise you such a thing again. Leave the room, sir, and have the kindness to wait in the coal cellar till I call you.

_Midnight_

_Schwartz._ [_Starting up._] What’s that?

_Little Old Gentleman._ Only I, Southwest Wind.

_Hans._ The room is full of water, and the roof is off.

_Little Old Gentleman._ Sorry, gentlemen. I am afraid your beds are dampish. Perhaps you had better go to your brother’s room. I’ve left the ceiling on there. You’ll find my card on the kitchen table. Remember, this is the last visit from Southwest Wind.

THE CHILD AND THE SPARROW

_Child._ Sparrow in the cherry tree, Won’t you drop one down for me?

_Sparrow._ Presently, presently.

_Child._ Sparrow, sparrow, Greedy-pate! There’s a fine one! Drop it straight!

_Sparrow._ Little boys should learn to wait!

_Child._ Sparrow, without more ado, Come, be kind and drop me two.

_Sparrow._ They’re not ripe enough for you.

_Child._ Saucy sparrow, cease your fun! What, you’re off—and give me none!

_Sparrow._ All are gone, all are gone.

—THOMAS WESTWOOD.

THE RABBIT’S MESSAGE

CHARACTERS—_Three Children_, _Spring_, _Rabbit_ _and_ _creatures of the woods_