Part 4

Chapter 44,201 wordsPublic domain

He stooped down and untied the cords of the snare, meaning to carry off the dead Deer; but at that moment the Crow gave a loud “Caw!” Up sprang the Deer and in a moment was safe in the forest. The farmer flung a club after him; it hit Small-Wit, the Jackal, who was lurking near by hoping to have a share of the spoil, and killed him; and the two friends went home happy.

LITTLE GOLDSTAR

(Adapted)

In a southern garden lived a family of green lizards, under the roots of a palm-tree. They were merry little creatures, and their parents loved them dearly.

One day Father Lizard said to his children: “Your mother and I must go away this morning; now be good children; stay close together, and be sure that one of you keeps watch for fear of snakes and hawks!”

The little lizards promised; and for some time they were very careful; first one kept watch, and then another; but at length Sprightly said: “There is no danger near. Why should we not all play together, just for a little while?”

Oh dear! they forgot their promise, and see what came of it! While they were playing merrily, a great snake glided quietly out from the grass, seized poor Sprightly, and carried her off to his den.

The other lizards fled in terror. Swiftfoot ran up the tree, Longtail hid in the nest, and Goldstar ran away and away, to the farthest end of the garden. She did not dare to go home again, but found a hole in the bank near a summerhouse, and slipping into it, stayed all night, weeping for the death of her dear Sprightly.

Next day she tried to find her way home, but the garden was large, and she was too afraid of snakes to go far; so she decided to stay where she was, and make her home in the hole by the summerhouse.

One day, as she was lying in the sun, Goldstar saw a boy standing near her, with a cane in his hand. At first she was afraid to move, fearing he might strike her; but Carlos (for that was the boy’s name) was fond of lizards, and would not have hurt one for the world. He spoke softly to Goldstar, and she soon saw that he was kind and good. He stroked her gently, first with a green leaf, then with his hand, and Goldstar lay still, and was not afraid any more.

They became great friends, and Carlos came every day to see his pretty lizard and play with her. One day, as he was coming down the garden walk, he saw a large hawk hovering in the air near the summerhouse, just about to dart down on something. “Oh! my lizard! my lizard!” cried Carlos; and he ran as fast as he could to the spot, shouting and waving his arms. The hawk flew screaming away, and Goldstar ran to Carlos, and crept inside his jacket. She could not speak, but he knew that she was glad, and perhaps was trying to thank him in her own way.

One very hot day, Carlos was taking a nap in the summerhouse, when he was waked by something running over his face. He brushed it away without opening his eyes, but it came again, and still again. In fact, he could not get rid of it. At last he sat up, wide awake and very angry, and found that it was Goldstar. He tried to shake her off, but she ran into his bosom. He was going to pull her out in a pet, when, looking down, he saw a large snake, with head raised and glittering eyes, gliding slowly toward him. He knew its bite was fatal, and he sprang up with a loud cry. The snake stopped, and then turning, glided away into the bushes.

Very gently, Carlos drew his little pet from his bosom, and stroked her green and golden back. “Dear Goldstar,” he said, “if I saved you from the hawk, you have saved me from the serpent. I will love you and take care of you as long as you live.” And so he did.

THE BROOM

Swish! swish! swish! swish! A servant does my lady wish? Here I hang against the wall, Spruce and slender, straight and tall. Take me down, and then, you know, Swiftly to my work I’ll go.

Steady, even strokes and strong! So I sweep the dust along. Throw the windows wide, that so Out the dusky cloud may go. Swish, and swish! now whirl away! No more dust for us to-day!

In the corners now I rout, Poking every atom out. At the ceiling now I dash: Lurking spiders feel my lash. Cobweb, fly, and spider grey, Out you come! away! away!

Swish, swee! swish, swee! Sweeping is the game for me! If, my little maid, you mean Still to keep things neat and clean, Trim and shining in your room, Come to me, your friend the Broom!

THE CLEVER CROWS

(Adapted)

A pair of crows had their nest in a certain tree. It was a fine tree, and suited them well, but they had a bad neighbor, a black snake, who often stole and ate their young ones.

“Husband,” said Mrs. Crow, “we must leave this pleasant home of ours; we shall never be able to rear our children while that bad snake is there.”

“My dear,” replied Mr. Crow, “think no more about him. I have had enough of Black Snake, and I am going to get rid of him.”

“What can you do against a huge snake like that?” asked Mrs. Crow.

“Listen!” said Mr. Crow. “As you know, the Prince comes every day to bathe in the fountain under our tree. He has a fine gold chain, and he takes it off before he goes into the water, and lays it on a stone. To-morrow, when he does this, do you take the chain in your beak (for I shall be away getting food for the babies), and drop it into the hollow of the tree, taking care to give some good loud ‘Caws’ while you do so. Then wait and see what happens!”

Sure enough, next morning the young Prince came as usual to bathe in the clear fountain. He took off his gold chain and laid it on a stone, just as Mr. Crow said he would; then he began to take off his robes. Just then down flew Mrs. Crow, took the chain in her yellow bill, and flew up into the branches with it. “Oh! my chain! my chain!” cried the Prince. “That crow has flown away with it!”

“Have peace, your Highness!” replied his servant. “The bird has not flown far; she has this instant dropped the chain into a hole in the tree, and I will climb up and get it.”

Up climbed the servant, and looked down into the hole.

“Do you see my chain?” cried the Prince.

“Yes,” said the servant, “I see it, shining in the hole, but I see something else that is not so pretty; the head of a great ugly black snake. If your Highness will throw me up a stone, I will kill the creature, for it is a poisonous snake.”

So the Prince threw up a stone, and the servant caught it, and killed the snake with it. Then he reached down into the hole, pulled out the gold chain, and took it back to his master, who thanked him kindly.

“Ah!” said Mrs. Crow. “He is glad to get back his fine jewel; but I am far happier, for I have my babies safe and sound. See what it is to have a clever husband! I must be sure to have everything he likes best for supper to-night.”

So she did! I do not know what crows like best for supper, so I cannot tell you; but they had a wonderful feast, and the little ones picked the bones, and there was no happier family in all the forest than the Crow Family.

THE JOHN-BETTY TABLE

Twice one is two, We make our bow to you.

Twice two is four, We dance upon the floor.

Twice three is six, We build a house with bricks.

Twice four is eight, We swing upon the gate.

Twice five is ten, We chase the neighbor’s hen.

Twice six is twelve, In mud we dig and delve.

Twice seven is fourteen, We hear old Piggy snorting.

Twice eight is sixteen, We have some little chicks seen.

Twice nine is eighteen, We see our nursie waiting.

Twice ten is twenty, We’ve bread and jam in plenty.

Twice eleven is twenty-two, I’m put to bed, and so are you.

Twice twelve is twenty-four, Put out the light, and shut the door.

Three times three is nine, I’ll give you help of mine.

Three times four is twelve, This axe has lost its helve.

Three times five is fifteen, Ugh! Father’s pipe I’ve whiffed in.

Three times six is eighteen, We think we’ll go a-skating.

Three times seven is twenty-one, We buy ourselves a plummy bun.

Three times eight is twenty-four, We eat it up, and ask for more.

Three times nine is twenty-seven, John is a horse, and must be driven.

Three times ten is thirty. Dear Betty’s face is dirty.

Three times eleven is thirty-three, We sing “high diddle, diddle dee!”

Three times twelve is thirty-six. We play our nursie pleasant tricks.

Four times four is sixteen. The dolly’s leg we’ve fixed in.

Four times five is twenty, Miss Betty’s frock is dainty.

Four times six is twenty-four. We like to thump upon the door.

Four times seven is twenty-eight. We draw some beasts upon the slate.

Four times eight is thirty-two. We break the chair and tumble through.

Four times nine is thirty-six. With milk and mud our dough we mix.

Four times ten is forty. I _think_ dear John is naughty.

Four times eleven is forty-four. He says he’ll do it never more.

Four times twelve is forty-eight, And now we think it’s getting late.

Five times five is twenty-five. We go with dear Papa to drive.

Five times six is thirty. We see our Cousin Gerty.

Five times seven is thirty-five. We see some bees around the hive.

Five times eight is forty. We want a little more tea.

Five times nine is forty-five. We teach the puppy how to dive.

Five times ten is fifty. The snow is very drifty.

Five times eleven is fifty-five, When we are bad, we never thrive.

Five times twelve is sixty. We feel a little mixed-y.

Six times six is thirty-six. We must not touch the candle wicks.

Six times seven is forty-two. What do you think we’d better do?

Six times eight is forty-eight. We’ll fish, and take the sponge for bait.

Six times nine is fifty-four. We’ve caught a thousand whales and more.

Six times ten is sixty. Nurse says we’ve made a pigsty.

Six times eleven is sixty-six, We’re such unlucky little chicks.

Six times twelve is seventy-two. Boo hoo! boo hoo! boo hoo! boo hoo!

Seven times seven is forty-nine. Dear John, you _know_ this doll is mine.

Seven times eight is fifty-six. You might just give me half your bricks!

Seven times nine is sixty-three. You’re just as cross as you can be.

Seven times ten is seventy. Now kiss and be forgiven-ty.

Seven times eleven is seventy-seven. Let’s play we are the fox and raven.

Seven times twelve is eighty-four. No! let’s be lions. Roar! roar! roar!

Eight times eight is sixty-four. Dear John now keeps a grocery store.

Eight times nine are seventy-two. Dear Betty comes to buy some glue.

Eight times ten is eighty. My bundle’s very weighty.

Eight times eleven is eighty-eight. Please pay me, quick! I cannot wait.

Eight times twelve is ninety-six. Make out the change, and play no tricks!

Nine times nine is eighty-one. A tea-party will be such fun!

Nine times ten is ninety. Dear Betty makes such fine tea!

Nine times eleven is ninety-nine. Will you have beer, dear John, or wine?

Nine times twelve is one hundred and eight. Our table-cloth is far from straight.

Ten times ten is one hundred. Sure, one of us has blundered.

Ten times eleven is one hundred and ten. We’ll try to mend it up again.

Ten times twelve is one hundred and twenty. Let’s play we’re making some frumenty.

Eleven times eleven is one hundred and twenty-one. We hang our washing in the sun.

Eleven times twelve is one hundred and thirty-two. Our nursie says, “Be quiet, do!”

Twelve times twelve is one hundred and forty-four. Dear John and Betty can do no more.

THE LITTLE GRAY DOVES

There are many old, old stories about the dear Christ Child when he was little. Not all of them are true, but all are sweet and lovely; listen now, and you shall hear one.

It had been raining in Nazareth, and the ground, which had long been parched and dry, was turned to wet clay. This was a wonderful thing for the children, and they all ran to play with the clay, just as you boys and girls do now. Some dug canals and wells, some built houses and towers; while others took the soft clay in their hands and moulded it into shapes of men and animals. The little Jesus joined this last group, and while they made dogs and cats, horses and lions, he made little gray doves, and set them one by one on the edge of the fountain.

Presently sweet Mary the Mother came to the door and looked out, to see what the children were doing.

“See!” cried one little boy. “Mary Mother, see my dog! he can almost wag his tail and bark.”

“Look at my lion!” cried another. “He is so big and strong, he could eat up your dog in a minute.”

“Ho!” said a third. “My man here could whip your dog, and kill your lion with his sword, so he is the best of all.”

Mary Mother smiled, and praised the dog, the lion, and the man. Then she said, “And what has my little Jesus to show me?”

“I have made some little gray doves,” said Jesus. “See! here they are!”

“And what can they do, my little one?” asked sweet Mary, as she stroked the boy’s curly head.

“I think they can fly!” said little Jesus. “Fly, pretty doves!”

He clapped his hands, and up flew the doves like a soft gray cloud. Then fluttered round the child’s fair head, and lighted for a moment on his shoulders and his hands; then they spread their gray wings and flew up into the sky, and were seen no more.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

“What is going on to-day, Little Cat?” asked Little Dog. “Every one seems so happy and merry. I had chicken-bones for breakfast, with ever so much meat on them!”

“I had creamed fish,” said Little Cat; “and it was real cream. Look! Little Girl tied a red ribbon round my neck, and said I was a beauty. Am I, Little Dog?”

“Yes, for a cat!” said Little Dog. “Am I?”

“Yes, for a dog!” said Little Cat.

“I have a new collar, you see,” said Little Dog. “And your girl has on a new blue dress, and my boy a velvet jacket. And they are not going to say one cross word all day; I heard them tell their mother so.”

“I was in the nursery this morning,” said Little Cat. “The children’s stockings were full of toys and sugar-plums, and they kissed each other and said, ‘Merry’—something! What can it all mean?”

“Let us ask Great Old Dog!” said Little Dog. “He knows almost everything, and he can surely tell us.”

Great Old Dog was asleep, but he woke up and heard their story patiently. “It was ‘Merry Christmas!’ that the children said,” he told them. “This is Christmas Day.”

“What does it mean?” asked Little Cat.

“I don’t understand all about it,” said Great Old Dog; “but it is the best day in the whole year, for everybody is happy and kind, and tries to do pleasant things for everybody else. I think some one was born who brought kindness into the world.”

“Well,” said Little Dog; “if everybody is going to be good we must be good, too. Little Cat, I will not growl at you once to-day, even if they put our dinner on the same plate!”

“Nor I at you,” said Little Cat, “even if there is only one cushion by the fireside.”

“Nice Little Cat!” said Little Dog.

“Good Little Dog!” said Little Cat.

Just then in came Little Girl in her blue dress and Little Boy in his velvet jacket. “Merry Christmas!” they cried: “Little Cat and Little Dog, and dear, good Great Old Dog!”

“We wish you Merry Christmas, And a happy New Year; A pocket full of money, And a heart full of cheer!”

“Merry Christmas!” said Little Dog (but it sounded like “Yap! yap!”).

“Merry Christmas!” said Little Cat (but it sounded like “Purrrrrrrrrrr!”).

“Merry Christmas!” said Great Old Dog, deep down in his great old throat (but it sounded like “Wuff! _Wuff!_ WUFF!”).

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

“Mother,” said Jack, “may I have some money to buy Christmas presents with?”

“Dear,” said his mother, “I have no money. We are very poor, and I can hardly buy food for us all.”

Jack hung his head; if he had not been ten the tears would have come to his eyes, but he was ten.

“All the other boys give presents!” he said.

“So shall you!” said his mother. “All presents are not bought with money. The best boy that ever lived was as poor as we are, and yet he was always giving.”

“Who was he?” asked Jack; “and what did he give?”

“This is his birthday,” said the mother. “He was the good Jesus. He was born in a stable, and he lived in a poor workingman’s house. He never had a penny of his own, yet he gave twelve good gifts every day. Would you like to try his way?”

“Yes!” cried Jack.

So his mother told him this and that; and soon after Jack started out, dressed in his best suit, to give his presents.

First, he went to Aunt Jane’s house. She was old and lame and she did not like boys.

“What do you want?” she asked as she opened the door.

“Merry Christmas!” said Jack. “May I stay for an hour and help you?”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “Want to keep you out of mischief, do they? Well! you may bring in some wood.”

“Shall I split some kindling, too?” asked Jack.

“If you know how!” said Aunt Jane. “I can’t have you cutting your foot and messing my clean shed all up.”

Jack found some fresh pine wood and a bright hatchet, and he split up a great pile of kindling and thought it fun. He stacked it neatly, and then he brought in a pail of water and filled the kettle.

“What else can I do?” he asked. “There are twenty minutes more.”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You might feed the pig.”

Jack fed the pig, who thanked him in his own way.

“Ten minutes more!” he said. “What shall I do now?”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. “You may sit down and tell me why you came.”

“It is a Christmas present!” said Jack. “I am giving hours for presents. I had twelve, but I gave one to Mother, and another one was gone before I knew I had it. This hour was your present.”

“Humph!” said Aunt Jane. She hobbled to the cupboard and took out a small round pie that smelt very good. “Here!” she said. “This is _your_ present, and I thank you for mine. Come again, will you?”

“Indeed I will!” said Jack, “and thank you for the pie!”

Next Jack went and read for an hour to old Mr. Green, who was blind. He read a book about the sea, and they both liked it very much, so the hour went quickly. Then it was time to help Mother get dinner, and then time to eat it; that took two hours, and Aunt Jane’s pie was wonderful. Then Jack took the Smith baby for a ride in its carriage, as Mrs. Smith was ill, and they met its grandfather, who filled Jack’s pockets with candy and popcorn and invited him to a Christmas Tree that night.

Next Jack went to see Willy Brown, who had been ill for a long time and could not leave his bed. Willy was very glad to see him; they played a game, and then each told the other a story, and before Jack knew it the clock struck six.

“Oh!” cried Jack. “You have had two!”

“Two what?” asked Willy.

“Two hours!” said Jack; and he told Willy about the presents he was giving. “I am glad I gave you two,” he said, “and I would give you three, but I must go and help Mother.”

“Oh, dear!” said Willy. “I thank you very much, Jack. I have had a perfectly great time, and it has driven the pain away; but I have nothing to give you.”

Jack laughed. “Why, don’t you see,” he cried, “you have given me just the same thing? I have had a great time, too.”

“Mother,” said Jack as he was going to bed, “I have had a splendid Christmas, but I wish I had had something to give you besides the hours.”

“My darling,” said his mother, “you have given me the best gift of all, yourself!”

CHURCH-BELLS

(Adapted from the German of Froebel. Air: “The Bells of Aberdovey”)

Through the window, sunbeams bright Fill the church with radiant light. Now the doors wide open throw, That we into church may go.

Chorus. Ding-dong! ding-dong! hark, the bell! Oh, lovely things to us ’twill tell, As we walk to church together.

In the church so calm, so still, Gentlest thoughts our heart must fill. Lifted high, our spirit learns Why with holy love it burns.