Part 3

Next he was offered some rosy red apples and the Fairies said:

“Why can’t you answer up this season, Will you really tell the reason?”

Tommy replied:

“I really never do seem able, To get on with the ‘three times’ table.”

Then the Number Fairies set up a shout and cried:

“This little boy would like to please, So we will help him count by 3’s.”

The Fairies jumped about and formed a ring round him, shouting:

“Three, six, nine, That is fine, Twelve, fifteen, eighteen, Time to be unseen!”

Then they began to sing the table to a little fairy tune and Tommy joined them.

Now, the most wonderful part of the most wonderful part of the story is yet to come.

In rolled a big, round table, and three times three chairs.

The fairies and Tommy sat down.

In the center of a table was a wee fairy, with a figure three on her cap. She waved her wand at each Fairy, and Tommy in turn, and called for, “3 times 3” and “3 times 6” and “3 times 11.”

Each time when any one answered correctly, down floated a plate of Fairy food smoking hot.

To the surprise of all, Tommy cried:

“Three times seven is twenty-one, Really I do call this _fun_.”

Just as he was putting his fork into his plate a great cry arose.

“Your table now you understand, But you cannot _eat_ in Fairyland!”

In less than a twinkling of an eye he was whisked back home, and was sitting by the fire, but the Funny Fairy sat beside him, saying:

“If you had tasted Fairy food, To come back home you never could, To learn your numbers you are able, By aid of a little Fairy table.”

Then the Funny Fairy cut out many circles, and put a number in the center of each one. He put numbers all round the circles, too. Whenever Tommy multiplied any number in the outside of the circle by the number in the center, down on the circle floated a plate of fairy food, but he was never quick enough to catch it to eat.

He said:

“The tables seem so real to me, I’ll learn more quickly now you see.”

By and by he fell asleep by the fire, and the Funny Fairy went back into the grate and sat on a log singing:

“To study now he’s learned the trick, He’ll soon be bright in arithmetic.”

Next day Tommy knew the “threes,” and soon he learned all the tables. He said:

“I love funny things and fables, I learned numbers by fairy tables.”

The Funny Fairy seemed to be around often. He sang:

“If you’re in earnest in what you’re about The fairies will often help you out.”

Tommy tried to find the Fairy, but he had vanished.

The Mad March Hare

“You hear me shout, without a doubt, You wonder what I’m mad about.”

sang the Mad March Hare one day in March when the stormy winds were blowing.

He went hoppety-hop to his little wee house in the woods. He roared so loudly as he went about his house-keeping and broke so many dishes as he washed his cups and saucers, that Old Hug-Me-Tight, the Bear, pricked up his ears as he passed by, saying:

“Spring has come, but do beware, Hear him roar, the Mad March Hare.”

The Mad March Hare stuck his head out the kitchen window and called:

“Old Hug-Me-Tight, come in, come in, If you can stand my noisy din.”

The Bear was happy to come in and dry his wet paws by the kitchen fire.

The fire roared up the chimney.

The tea kettle sang and the Mad March Hare kept dropping dishes, clitter, clatter, smash, crash on the floor.

The Bear said:

“Why are you so wild in spring? Why are you mad at everything?”

The Mad March Hare gave a wild leap over to the Bear and boxed his ears, replying:

“Why do you take a winter nap, Why do you wear a warm night-cap?”

Old Hug-Me-Tight, the Bear, hung his head for sure enough, he did sleep all winter!

At this very minute Big Brother Beaver came lopping along. He heard such a noise in the house of the Mad March Hare that he tapped politely at the door and inquired:

“As all the birds are on the wing, Why are you mad at everything?”

The Mad March Hare snapped:

“Why are you building night and day, Big Brother Beaver, tell me pray.”

The Beaver did not know what to say to that for it was his nature to build, but he came in and warmed his paws by the fire and dried his coat, for it was a misty, moist morning.

The Mad March Hare went on washing dishes and breaking handles off his cups, and dropping knives and forks.

He peeped out the window and saw Chatter-Box, the monkey, swinging on the tree outside. He called:

“Come in, come in, let’s live together, In this terrible March weather.”

Chatter-Box said:

“My chatter-box I always bring, Why are you mad at everything?”

The Mad March Hare turned over a whole dish-pan full of water on the floor and shouted:

“Why do you imitate what you see, Chatter-Box, come, answer me.”

The Monkey danced and pranced about and helped the Mad March Hare finish his dish-washing.

Then, suddenly, without any warning the Mad March Hare said:

“’Tis well to keep secrets without a doubt You may wonder what I am mad about.”

The Beaver put on his horn-rimmed spectacles and tried to see what the reason could be.

The Monkey put his paw up to his ear to listen.

All the time the March wind howled louder, and louder, and the rain fell, and the sleet came, but the kitchen fire roared merrily and the tea kettle sang a cheerful song.

The Mad March Hare said:

“Mary is mad when they comb her hair, She stamps her foot, and she doesn’t care.”

The Bear, the Beaver and the Monkey nodded their heads. They had seen Mary mad many times when her hair was combed.

The Mad March Hare continued:

“Jack is mad to be bathed I fear, He cried so loud that the neighbors hear.”

Then those comical animals clapped their paws, and told of one hundred and nine children who got mad every day over one thing or another!

The Mad March Hare said:

“I gather up their scowls and tears, No wonder I am mad, my dears, They’re mad to-day and mad to-morrow, So they bring to me much sorrow, They are not bad, they just get mad, And so they make the March Hare sad.”

For one hour and sixteen minutes they sat warm and dry about the cheerful fire. Suddenly, Hug-Me-Tight began to hug them all in turn, and Big Brother Beaver and Chatter-Box danced a hornpipe and they all shouted:

“We’ll put it in story, and put it in song, The whole world will read about it ere long.”

So, those comical little animals wrote a story and a song, asking the children not to get mad any more, so the March Hare could be happy.

Chatter-Box drew a picture of the Hare that all children love, and they all sang the song they composed to the tune of “Twinkle Little Star.”

Do be gentle, have a care, If you love the Mad March Hare, Don’t get mad now anywhere, If you love the Mad March Hare.

School time’s coming, oh beware, If you love the Mad March Hare, Work is pleasant, I declare, If you love the Mad March Hare.

Soon the visitors had to go home.

“I’ll tell the children,” said the Bear, “Good bye, good bye, dear Mad March Hare.”

The Beaver said:

“I’ll take your message everywhere, Good bye, good bye, dear Mad March Hare.”

Chatter-Box said:

“I’ll sing for the children if I dare, Good bye, good bye, dear Mad March Hare.”

The Mad March Hare grew as happy as happy could be, and waved his hat as his visitors ran homeward. He called after them:

“We don’t mind the Mad March weather, We had such a happy time together.”

So many children learned the song about the Mad March Hare, and so many children enjoyed the story that all over the world they whistled and sang instead of getting angry.

The Mad March Hare whistled and sang:

“I am happy—as happy could be, The Mad March Hare is no name for me, When you feel angry, oh have a care, And give three cheers for the Mad March Hare.”

Danny-Do-Little

Once upon a time there was a little boy who was lazy as lazy could be, but all of a sudden one sunshiny summer day he wanted to do something.

_He wanted to go to the circus?_

How could he get there, goodness knows, He was too lazy to change his clothes, Danny-Do-Little was such a shirk, He never got half through his work.

So, he did not get out in time to see the Circus Parade, and when he got to the Circus Tent he was too late. Crowds were turned away.

He went back home and sat down on the wood pile, and was feeling very sad when to his surprise, a merry voice called:

“If you just sit still and frown, You can’t entertain a Circus Clown.”

There, sure enough, stood a regular Clown on his head, beside him!

Danny-Do-Little was so surprised he did not know what to say, and waited until the Clown stood on his feet, then he remarked:

“If you’re a Clown from Circus Town, How did you get here in striped gown?”

The Clown answered in a sing-song Clownish way:

“I’m such a joker I might explain, That I fell out of my aeroplane!”

Then, the little boy said:

“I’m Danny-Do-Little, I’m glad you came, Please tell me, Sir, what is your name?”

The Clown said:

“I travel around with the finest shows, And I go by the name of Silver Toes!”

Then he went through the funniest little dance and danced so hard that he kicked off one of his silver slippers!

Danny-Do-Little clapped his hands and begged him to come in-doors and perform some of his tricks.

The Clown was as thirsty as thirsty could be so he said:

“Danny-Do-Little, did you fail, To bring water in for the drinking pail?”

Danny-Do-Little laughed and ran to the pump and filled the water pail in a hurry to please the Clown.

Then the Clown surprised him!

He took a drink of water you know, And turned a somersault or so!

Then at exactly that minute, the Clown began to want a cup of tea. He wanted it so badly he could hardly wait, but there was no fire and he shouted:

“To fill the wood-box and tend the fire, If I were a boy I’d never tire.”

Danny-Do-Little took the hint at once, and he ran out and got an armful of wood, and made a fire and put on the tea-pot, and soon the water was boiling merrily for a cup of tea.

What did the Clown do, do you suppose? He balanced the tea cup on his nose!

Every time he did a trick Danny-Do-Little tried to do the same, and together, they burst into merry peals of laughter.

The Clown was hungry and he dearly loved hard boiled eggs so he shouted:

“Danny-Do-Little is it best To leave eggs out in the nest?”

Danny-Do-Little could take a suggestion as well as any boy, so he ran and got a basket full of eggs from the chicken house.

When in from the barn with eggs he came, The Clown jumped through a picture frame!

Then the Clown threw eggs in the air and caught them.

All of a sudden he looked at the kitchen floor.

There was so much dust upon the floor, He had never seen the like before! At Danny he cast a side-long glance, He took the broom and performed a dance!

When the floor was quite clean, out from his pocket he took a wonderful red bouncing ball and performed all kinds of tricks with it.

He shouted:

“Danny-Do-Little does nothing at all, He is too lazy to even play ball!”

“Try me and see,” cried Danny, and the Clown played ball with him and showed him one hundred and six ways of doing tricks with the wonderful red bouncing ball. Then he put up his hand, saying:

“See that finger aside my nose? It’s time I were going goodness knows.”

Danny-Do-Little begged the Clown to stay but he gave him two tickets to the Circus which was to be held next week in On-Time-Town. He said:

“I’m very glad you admire my gown, I’m off and away to On-Time-Town.”

Danny-Do-Little was amused for he had not said a single word about the Clown’s suit, but he was so sorry to see him go that he looked rather sad, but the Clown tossed him his wonderful red bouncing ball and cried:

“Practice your tricks, don’t stop to sigh, I’ll meet you again, good bye, good bye.”

Then Danny-Do-Little began to practice all the tricks in real earnest and found his little feet began to act as though they belonged to him, and his arms and legs began to limber up and soon he was as active as could be. He learned to do many tricks well, but those he did with the bouncing ball were best of all.

Surprising things began to happen!

All the boys came to learn his tricks and hear the story of the Circus Clown!

The water pail was always full.

The wood-box was never empty!

The eggs were gathered every day!

Danny-Do-Little was busy from morning until night.

One day the greatest surprise of all came through the mail. There was a red and white box addressed to “Danny-Do-It-Now,” once called, “Danny-Do-Little.”

In the red and white box was a red and white Clown suit just his size.

On the suit was a red and white card saying:

“Little Danny Do-It-Now, You learned your tricks, please tell me how, You’re a bright boy as every one knows, Please accept this gift from Silver Toes.”

What happened next do you suppose?

He put on the Clown suit and stood on his head And changed his name, I’ve heard it said, He made a regular Circus bow, And said, “Call me Danny-Do-It-Now.” He became the funniest Circus Clown, And travelled away to On-Time-Town, I am very sure wherever he goes, He does his tricks with Silver Toes! To join the Circus if you’d learn how, Just change your name to “Do-It-Now,” And smile always instead of frown, Then they’ll welcome _You_ in On-Time-Town!

Jack and Jill’s Tooth-Pick Circus

One day Jack and Jill had the mumps and could not go to the circus.

Uncle Phil came in whistling and he said:

“I’ve brought you something sure to please, You can _make_ a circus with sticks and peas.”

To their delight he showed them how.

They soaked the peas and stuck the tooth picks in them so they would hold together.

They made the circus tent and side-show tents, cages for the animals, and a merry-go-round.

It was fun to make the Tooth-Pick Animals and Clown.

Uncle Phil said he must go to work, but he said:

“Jack and Jill, good bye, good bye, You can be happy if you try.”

So saying, he went off and then the most extraordinary thing happened.

A voice whispered:

“The animals are in the tent, And each one is on mischief bent, The tent flap soon will open wide, There’s room for you and me inside!”

Jack and Jill clapped their hands and said:

“We wish we were little girl and boy As _tiny_ as each Tooth-Pick toy.”

They did not know they were sitting on a wishing rug.

No sooner had they made their wish than they grew smaller, and smaller, and smaller, and went inside the very tent they had made.

At this exciting minute a voice said:

“And now we see the circus ring, Round which the old clowns dance and sing, The animals will march two and two, And make a little show for you.”

“Oh, oh,” cried Jack and Jill. “What if our Tooth-Pick Clown and animals should become alive?”

In came the Tooth-Pick Clowns, singing:

“The Tooth-Pick Clowns walk two and two, And funny things they say to you, Skipping lightly round the ring, They crack their whips and laugh and sing.”

Then in came a rider with a chariot saying:

“The golden chariot you know, Has a rider bowing low, The circus is a pleasant place, To behold a chariot race.”

Then in came the comical little animals and did their tricks in the rings.

The Clown sang:

“This lion’s of uncertain age, Perhaps you like him in his cage, Round the circus ring he’ll go, He’s trained to act so in the show.”

In came the tall Giraffe and the Clown sang:

“We introduce the tall Giraffe, And beg that you will never laugh. At his tall neck or anything, As he marches in the ring!”

Next, in came an old Elephant, and the Clown riding on his back said:

“See the old trick Elephant, He likes to live out in a tent, He’s a traveller as every one knows, And carries his trunk wherever he goes.”

Jack and Jill had so much fun they even rode in the merry-go-round and sang:

“The Merry-Go-Round is quite a treat If you have money for a seat. Round and round the horses go, To music playing sweet and low.”

By and by the wonderful circus was over and the Clowns called:

“The big band wagon now will pass, Too soon it’s out of sight, alas! We wish the band could play always, It makes such happy circus days!”

Jack and Jill went into a side-show tent to have their fortunes told. Outside the tent the sign read:

“This is a little side-show tent, From which come peals of merriment, If you’ve a dime step in and see, What it holds of mystery.”

Jack and Jill went merrily homeward while the old Clowns called after them:

“The children travel two and two, For many have to walk ’tis true, They like to imitate the Clown, When the circus comes to town.”

The Family Clock greeted them as they got home. It began to strike and sing in a comical manner:

“Hear me count, one, two, three, four, five. I’m glad that you got home alive, Perhaps it takes you by surprise, But now you are the proper size!”

Jack and Jill rubbed their sleepy eyes.

They were in their own little red rocking chairs at home. They still had the mumps of course for company!

There, on the table before them, were the Tooth-Pick Animals, there were the merry Clowns, and the tent stood with a flap open so one could go inside!

The children said:

“How very funny it does seem, We both had such a jolly dream.”

At this very minute, in came Uncle Phil with both hands behind his back, singing:

“Which hand will you choose? I’ve pleasant news, It is sure to drive away the blues, As I came walking back to town I met a friend, a Circus Clown!”

Jack chose the right hand and Jill chose the left.

Jack got a bag of pop corn and Jill a bag of peanuts.

Behind Uncle Phil came a really, truly Circus Clown in a really, truly Circus gown of red and white. He had a red and white striped cap on, and his face was painted many colors!

He stood on his head and turned somersaults and did his tricks to please the children:

When he saw the Tooth-Pick Toys, He laughed, for he had girls and boys, The children loved the Clown always For he taught them many Tooth-Pick Plays!

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling. 2. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed. 3. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.