Thelittleboycouldnevergetenough;soforthishewascalled\"LittleJackRollaround。\"
Onenighthehadmadehismotherrollhimabout，tillshefellasleep，andeventhenhekeptcrying，\"Rollmearound！rollmearound！\"Hismotherpushedhimaboutinhersleep，untilshefelltoosoundlyaslumbering;thenshestopped。ButLittleJackRollaroundkeptoncrying，\"Rollaround！rollaround！\"
ByandbytheMoonpeepedinatthewindow。Hesawafunnysight：LittleJackRollaroundwaslyinginhistrundle—
bed，andhehadputuponelittlefatlegforamast，andfastenedthecornerofhisweeshirttoitforasail，andhewasblowingatitwithallhismight，andsaying，\"Rollaround！rollaround！\"Slowly，slowly，thelittletrundle—bedboatbegantomove;itsailedalongthefloorandupthewallandacrosstheceilinganddownagain！
\"More！more！\"criedLittleJackRollaround;andthelittleboatsailedfasterupthewall，acrosstheceiling，downthewall，andoverthefloor。TheMoonlaughedatthesight;butwhenLittleJackRollaroundsawtheMoon，hecalledout，\"Openthedoor，oldMoon！Iwanttorollthroughthetown，sothatthepeoplecanseeme！\"
TheMooncouldnotopenthedoor，butheshoneinthroughthekeyhole，inabroadband。AndLittleJackRollaroundsailedhistrundle—bedboatupthebeam，throughthekeyhole，andintothestreet。
\"Makealight，oldMoon，\"hesaid;\"I
wantthepeopletoseeme！\"
SothegoodMoonmadealightandwentalongwithhim，andthelittletrundle—
bedboatwentsailingdownthestreetsintothemainstreetofthevillage。Theyrolledpastthetownhallandtheschoolhouseandthechurch;butnobodysawlittleJackRollaround，becauseeverybodywasinbed，asleep。
\"Whydon’tthepeoplecometoseeme？\"
heshouted。
Highuponthechurchsteeple，theWeather—vaneanswered，\"Itisnotimeforpeopletobeinthestreets;decentfolkareintheirbeds。\"
\"ThenI’llgotothewoods，sothattheanimalsmayseeme，\"saidLittleJack。
\"Comealong，oldMoon，andmakealight！\"
ThegoodMoonwentalongandmadealight，andtheycametotheforest。\"Roll！
roll！\"criedthelittleboy;andthetrundle—
bedwenttrundlingamongthetreesinthegreatwood，scaringupthechipmunksandstartlingthelittleleavesonthetrees。ThepooroldMoonbegantohaveabadtimeofit，forthetree—trunksgotinhiswaysothathecouldnotgosofastasthebed，andeverytimehegotbehind，thelittleboycalled，\"Hurryup，oldMoon，Iwantthebeaststoseeme！\"
Butalltheanimalswereasleep，andnobodyatalllookedatLittleJackRollaroundexceptanoldWhiteOwl;andallshesaidwas，\"Whoareyou？\"
Thelittleboydidnotlikeher，soheblewharder，andthetrundle—bedboatwentsailingthroughtheforesttillitcametotheendoftheworld。
\"Imustgohomenow;itislate，\"saidtheMoon。
\"Iwillgowithyou;makeapath！\"saidLittleJackRollaround。
ThekindMoonmadeapathuptothesky，andupsailedthelittlebedintothemidstofthesky。AllthelittlebrightStarsweretherewiththeirnicelittlelamps。Andwhenhesawthem，thatnaughtyLittleJackRollaroundbegantotease。\"Outoftheway，there！Iamcoming！\"heshouted，andsailedthetrundle—bedboatstraightatthem。HebumpedthelittleStarsrightandleft，alloverthesky，untileveryoneofthemputhislittlelampoutandleftitdark。
\"DonottreatthelittleStarsso，\"saidthegoodMoon。
ButJackRollaroundonlybehavedtheworse：\"Getoutoftheway，oldMoon！\"
heshouted，\"Iamcoming！\"
Andhesteeredthelittletrundle—bedboatstraightintotheoldMoon’sface，andbumpedhisnose！
ThiswastoomuchforthegoodMoon;
heputouthisbiglight，allatonce，andlefttheskypitch—black。
\"Makealight，oldMoon！Makealight！\"shoutedthelittleboy。ButtheMoonansweredneveraword，andJackRollaroundcouldnotseewheretosteer。
Hewentrollingcriss—cross，upanddown，alloverthesky，knockingintotheplanetsandstumblingintotheclouds，tillhedidnotknowwherehewas。
Suddenlyhesawabigyellowlightattheveryedgeofthesky。HethoughtitwastheMoon。\"Lookout，Iamcoming！\"
hecried，andsteeredforthelight。
ButitwasnotthekindoldMoonatall;
itwasthegreatmotherSun，justcomingupoutofherhomeinthesea，tobeginherday’swork。
\"Aha，youngster，whatareyoudoinginmysky？\"shesaid。AndshepickedLittleJackRollaroundupandthrewhim，trundle—bedboatandall，intothemiddleofthesea！
AndIsupposeheisthereyet，unlesssomebodypickedhimoutagain。
HOWBROTHERRABBITFOOLEDTHEWHALEANDTHEELEPHANT[1]
[1]AdaptedfromtwotalesincludedintherecordsoftheAmericanFolk—LoreSociety。
OnedaylittleBrotherRabbitwasrunningalongonthesand，lippety，lippety，whenhesawtheWhaleandtheElephanttalkingtogether。LittleBrotherRabbitcroucheddownandlistenedtowhattheyweresaying。Thiswaswhattheyweresaying：——
\"Youarethebiggestthingontheland，BrotherElephant，\"saidtheWhale，\"andIamthebiggestthinginthesea;ifwejointogetherwecanrulealltheanimalsintheworld，andhaveourwayabouteverything。\"
\"Verygood，verygood，\"trumpetedtheElephant;\"thatsuitsme;wewilldoit。\"
LittleBrotherRabbitsnickeredtohimself。\"Theywon’truleme，\"hesaid。Heranawayandgotaverylong，verystrongrope，andhegothisbigdrum，andhidthedrumalongwayoffinthebushes。ThenhewentalongthebeachtillhecametotheWhale。
\"Oh，please，dear，strongMr。Whale，\"
hesaid，\"willyouhavethegreatkindnesstodomeafavor？Mycowisstuckinthemud，aquarterofamilefromhere。AndIcan’tpullherout。Butyouaresostrongandsoobliging，thatIventuretotrustyouwillhelpmeout。\"
TheWhalewassopleasedwiththecomplimentthathesaid，\"Yes，\"atonce。
\"Then，\"saidtheRabbit，\"Iwilltiethisendofmylongropetoyou，andIwillrunawayandtietheotherendroundmycow，andwhenIamreadyIwillbeatmybigdrum。Whenyouhearthat，pullvery，veryhard，forthecowisstuckverydeepinthemud。\"
\"Huh！\"gruntedtheWhale，\"I’llpullherout，ifsheisstucktothehorns。\"
LittleBrotherRabbittiedtherope—endtothewhale，andranoff，lippety，lippety，tillhecametotheplacewheretheElephantwas。
\"Oh，please，mightyandkindlyElephant，\"
hesaid，makingaverylowbow\"willyoudomeafavor？\"
\"Whatisit？\"askedtheElephant。
\"Mycowisstuckinthemud，aboutaquarterofamilefromhere，\"saidlittleBrotherRabbit，\"andIcannotpullherout。Ofcourseyoucould。Ifyouwillbesoveryobligingastohelpme——\"
\"Certainly，\"saidtheElephantgrandly，\"certainly。\"
\"Then，\"saidlittleBrotherRabbit，\"I
willtieoneendofthislongropetoyourtrunk，andtheothertomycow，andassoonasIhavetiedhertightlyIwillbeatmybigdrum。Whenyouhearthat，pull;
pullashardasyoucan，formycowisveryheavy。\"
\"Neverfear，\"saidtheElephant，\"I
couldpulltwentycows。\"
\"Iamsureyoucould，\"saidtheRabbit，politely，\"onlybesuretobegingently，andpullharderandhardertillyougether。\"
ThenhetiedtheendoftheropetightlyroundtheElephant’strunk，andranawayintothebushes。Therehesatdownandbeatthebigdrum。
TheWhalebegantopull，andtheElephantbegantopull，andinajiffytheropetightenedtillitwasstretchedashardascouldbe。
\"Thisisaremarkablyheavycow，\"saidtheElephant;\"butI’llfetchher！\"Andhebracedhisforefeetintheearth，andgaveatremendouspull。
\"Dearme！\"saidtheWhale。\"Thatcowmustbestuckmightytight;\"andhedrovehistaildeepinthewater，andgaveamarvelouspull。
Hepulledharder;theElephantpulledharder。PrettysoontheWhalefoundhimselfslidingtowardtheland。Thereasonwas，ofcourse，thattheElephanthadsomethingsolidtobraceagainst，and，too，asfastashepulledtheropeinalittle，hetookaturnwithitroundhistrunk！
ButwhentheWhalefoundhimselfslidingtowardthelandhewassoprovokedwiththecowthathedoveheadfirst，downtothebottomofthesea。Thatwasapull！TheElephantwasjerkedoffhisfeet，andcameslippingandslidingtothebeach，andintothesurf。Hewasterriblyangry。Hebracedhimselfwithallhismight，andpulledhisbest。Atthejerk，upcametheWhaleoutofthewater。
\"Whoispullingme？\"spoutedtheWhale。
\"Whoispullingme？\"trumpetedtheElephant。
Andtheneachsawtheropeintheother’shold。
\"I’llteachyoutoplaycow！\"roaredtheElephant。
\"I’llshowyouhowtofoolme！\"fumedtheWhale。Andtheybegantopullagain。
Butthistimetheropebroke，theWhaleturnedasomersault，andtheElephantfelloverbackwards。
Atthat，theywerebothsoashamedthatneitherwouldspeaktotheother。Sothatbrokeupthebargainbetweenthem。
AndlittleBrotherRabbitsatinthebushesandlaughed，andlaughed，andlaughed。
THELITTLEHALF—CHICK
TherewasonceuponatimeaSpanishHen，whohatchedoutsomenicelittlechickens。Shewasmuchpleasedwiththeirlooksastheycamefromtheshell。One，two，three，cameoutplumpandfluffy;butwhenthefourthshellbroke，outcamealittlehalf—chick！Ithadonlyonelegandonewingandoneeye！Itwasjusthalfachicken。
TheHen—motherdidnotknowwhatintheworldtodowiththequeerlittleHalf—
Chick。Shewasafraidsomethingwouldhappentoit，andshetriedhardtoprotectitandkeepitfromharm。ButassoonasitcouldwalkthelittleHalf—Chickshowedamostheadstrongspirit，worsethananyofitsbrothers。Itwouldnotmind，anditwouldgowhereveritwantedto;itwalkedwithafunnylittlehoppity—kick，hoppity—
kick，andgotalongprettyfast。
OnedaythelittleHalf—Chicksaid，\"Mother，IamofftoMadrid，toseetheKing！Good—by。\"
ThepoorHen—motherdideverythingshecouldthinkof，tokeephimfromdoingsofoolishathing，butthelittleHalf—Chicklaughedathernaughtily。\"I’mforseeingtheKing，\"hesaid;\"thislifeistooquietforme。\"Andawayhewent，hoppity—kick，hoppity—kick，overthefields。
WhenhehadgonesomedistancethelittleHalf—Chickcametoalittlebrookthatwascaughtintheweedsandinmuchtrouble。
\"LittleHalf—Chick，\"whisperedtheWater，\"IamsochokedwiththeseweedsthatIcannotmove;Iamalmostlost，forwantofroom;pleasepushthesticksandweedsawaywithyourbillandhelpme。\"
\"Theidea！\"saidthelittleHalf—Chick。
\"Icannotbebotheredwithyou;IamoffforMadrid，toseetheKing！\"Andinspiteofthebrook’sbegginghewentaway，hoppity—kick，hoppity—kick。
Abitfartheron，theHalf—ChickcametoaFire，whichwassmotheredindampsticksandingreatdistress。
\"Oh，littleHalf—Chick，\"saidtheFire，\"youarejustintimetosaveme。Iamalmostdeadforwantofair。Fanmealittlewithyourwing，Ibeg。\"
\"Theidea！\"saidthelittleHalf—Chick。
\"Icannotbebotheredwithyou;IamofftoMadrid，toseetheKing！\"Andhewentlaughingoff，hoppity—kick，hoppity—kick。
Whenhehadhoppity—kickedagoodway，andwasnearMadrid，hecametoaclumpofbushes，wheretheWindwascaughtfast。TheWindwaswhimpering，andbeggingtobesetfree。
\"LittleHalf—Chick，\"saidtheWind，\"youarejustintimetohelpme;ifyouwillbrushasidethesetwigsandleaves，Icangetmybreath;helpme，quickly！\"
\"Ho！theidea！\"saidthelittleHalf—
Chick。\"Ihavenotimetobotherwithyou。
IamgoingtoMadrid，toseetheKing。\"
Andhewentoff，hoppity—kick，hoppity—
kick，leavingtheWindtosmother。
AfterawhilehecametoMadridandtothepalaceoftheKing。Hoppity—kick，hoppity—kick，thelittleHalf—Chickskippedpastthesentryatthegate，andhoppity—
kick，hoppity—kick，hecrossedthecourt。
ButashewaspassingthewindowsofthekitchentheCooklookedoutandsawhim。
\"TheverythingfortheKing’sdinner！\"
shesaid。\"Iwasneedingachicken！\"AndsheseizedthelittleHalf—Chickbyhisonewingandthrewhimintoakettleofwateronthefire。
TheWatercameoverthelittleHalf—
Chick’sfeathers，overhishead，intohiseye;Itwasterriblyuncomfortable。ThelittleHalf—Chickcriedout，——
\"Water，don’tdrownme！Staydown，don’tcomesohigh！\"
ButtheWatersaid，\"LittleHalf—Chick，littleHalf—Chick，whenIwasintroubleyouwouldnothelpme，\"andcamehigherthanever。
NowtheWatergrewwarm，hot，hotter，frightfullyhot;thelittleHalf—Chickcriedout，\"Donotburnsohot，Fire！Youareburningmetodeath！Stop！\"
ButtheFiresaid，\"LittleHalf—Chick，littleHalf—Chick，whenIwasintroubleyouwouldnothelpme，\"andburnedhotterthanever。
JustasthelittleHalf—Chickthoughthemustsuffocate，theCooktookthecoveroff，tolookatthedinner。\"Dearme，\"
shesaid，\"thischickenisnogood;itisburnedtoacinder。\"AndshepickedthelittleHalf—Chickupbyonelegandthrewhimoutofthewindow。
Intheairhewascaughtbyabreezeandtakenuphigherthanthetrees。Roundandroundhewastwirledtillhewassodizzyhethoughthemustperish。\"Don’tblowmeso？Wind，\"hecried，\"letmedown！\"
\"LittleHalf—Chick，littleHalf—Chick，\"
saidtheWind，\"whenIwasintroubleyouwouldnothelpme！\"AndtheWindblewhimstraightuptothetopofthechurchsteeple，andstuckhimthere，fast！
Therehestandstothisday，withhisoneeye，hisonewing，andhisoneleg。Hecannothoppity—kickanymore，butheturnsslowlyroundwhenthewindblows，andkeepshisheadtowardit，tohearwhatitsays。
THELAMBIKIN[1]
[1]FromIndianFairyTales。ByJosephJacobs（DavidNutt）。
Onceuponatimetherewasawee，weeLambikin，whofrolickedaboutonhislittletotterylegs，andenjoyedhimselfamazingly。
NowonedayhesetofftovisithisGranny，andwasjumpingwithjoytothinkofallthegoodthingsheshouldgetfromher，whenwhomshouldhemeetbutaJackal，wholookedatthetenderyoungmorselandsaid，\"Lambikin！Lambikin！
I’llEATYOU！\"
ButLambikinonlygavealittlefriskandsaid，——
\"ToGranny’shouseIgo，WhereIshallfattergrow;
Thenyoucaneatmeso。\"
TheJackalthoughtthisreasonable，andletLambikinpass。
ByandbyhemetaVulture，andtheVulture，lookinghungrilyatthetendermorselbeforehim，said，\"Lambikin！
Lambikin！I’llEATYOU！\"
ButLambikinonlygavealittlefrisk，andsaid，——
\"ToGranny’shouseIgo，WhereIshallfattergrow;
Thenyoucaneatmeso。\"
TheVulturethoughtthisreasonable，andletLambikinpass。
AndbyandbyhemetaTiger，andthenaWolfandaDogandanEagle，andallthese，whentheysawthetenderlittlemorsel，said，\"Lambikin！Lambikin！
I’llEATYOU！\"
ButtoallofthemLambikinreplied，withalittlefrisk，——
\"ToGranny’shouseIgo，WhereIshallfattergrow;
Thenyoucaneatmeso。\"
AtlasthereachedhisGranny’shouse，andsaid，allinagreathurry，\"Granny，dear，I’vepromisedtogetveryfat;so，aspeopleoughttokeeptheirpromises，pleaseputmeintothecorn—binATONCE。\"
SohisGrannysaidhewasagoodboy，andputhimintothecorn—bin，andtherethegreedylittleLambikinstayedforsevendays，andate，andate，andate，untilhecouldscarcelywaddle，andhisGrannysaidhewasfatenoughforanything，andmustgohome。ButcunninglittleLambikinsaidthatwouldneverdo，forsomeanimalwouldbesuretoeathimonthewayback，hewassoplumpandtender。
\"I’lltellyouwhatyoumustdo，\"saidMasterLambikin;\"youmustmakealittledrumikinoutoftheskinofmylittlebrotherwhodied，andthenIcansitinsideandtrundlealongnicely，forI’mastightasadrummyself。\"
SohisGrannymadeanicelittledrumikinoutofhisbrother’sskin，withthewoolinside，andLambikincurledhimselfupsnugandwarminthemiddleandtrundledawaygayly。SoonhemetwiththeEagle，whocalledout，——
\"Drumikin！Drumikin！
HaveyouseenLambikin？\"
AndMr。Lambikin，curledupinhissoft，warmnest，replied，——
\"Fallenintothefire，andsowillyouOnlittleDrumikin！Tum—pa，tum—too！\"
\"Howveryannoying！\"sighedtheEagle，thinkingregretfullyofthetendermorselhehadletslip。
MeanwhileLambikintrundledalong，laughingtohimself，andsinging，——
\"Tum—pa，tum—too;
Tum—pa，tum—too！\"
Everyanimalandbirdhemetaskedhimthesamequestion，——
\"Drumikin！Drumikin！
HaveyouseenLambikin？\"
Andtoeachofthemthelittleslybootsreplied，——
\"Fallenintothefire，andsowillyouOnlittleDrumikin！Tum—pa，tum—too！\"
Tum—pa，tum—too！tum—pa，tum—too！\"
Thentheyallsighedtothinkofthetenderlittlemorseltheyhadletslip。
AtlasttheJackalcamelimpingalong，forallhissorrylooksassharpasaneedle，andhe，too，calledout，——
\"Drumikin！Drumikin！
HaveyouseenLambikin？\"
AndLambikin，curledupinhissnuglittlenest，repliedgayly，——
\"Fallenintothefire，andsowillyouOnlittleDrumikin！Tum—pa——\"
Buthenevergotanyfurther，fortheJackalrecognizedhisvoiceatonce，andcried，\"Hullo！you’veturnedyourselfinsideout，haveyou？Justyoucomeoutofthat！\"
WhereuponhetoreopenDrumikinandgobbledupLambikin。
THEBLACKBERRY—BUSH[1]
[1]FromCeliaThaxter’sStoriesandPoemsforChildren。
Alittleboysatathismother’sknees，bythelongwesternwindow，lookingoutintothegarden。Itwasautumn，andthewindwassad;andthegoldenelmleaveslayscatteredaboutamongthegrass，andonthegravelpath。Themotherwasknittingalittlestocking;herfingersmovedthebrightneedles;buthereyeswerefixedonthecleareveningsky。
Asthedarknessgathered，theweeboylaidhisheadonherlapandkeptsostillthat，atlast，sheleanedforwardtolookintohisdearroundface。Hewasnotasleep，butwaswatchingveryearnestlyablackberry—bush，thatwaveditsonetall，dark—redsprayinthewindoutsidethefence。
\"Whatareyouthinkingabout，mydarling？\"shesaid，smoothinghissoft，honey—coloredhair。
\"Theblackberry—bush，mamma;whatdoesitsay？Itkeepsnodding，noddingtomebehindthefence;whatdoesitsay，mamma？\"
\"Itsays，\"sheanswered，`Iseeahappylittleboyinthewarm，fire—lightedroom。
Thewindblowscold，andhereitisdarkandlonely;butthatlittleboyiswarmandhappyandsafeathismother’sknees。
Inodtohim，andhelooksatme。I
wonderifheknowshowhappyheis！
\"`See，allmyleavesaredarkcrimson。
Everydaytheydryandwithermoreandmore;byandbytheywillbesoweaktheycanscarcelyclingtomybranches，andthenorthwindwilltearthemallaway，andnobodywillrememberthemanymore。
Thenthesnowwillsinkdownandwrapmeclose。Thenthesnowwillmeltagainandicyrainwillclotheme，andthebitterwindwillrattlemybaretwigsupanddown。
\"`Inodmyheadtoallwhopass，anddrearynightsanddrearydaysgoby;butinthehappyhouse，sowarmandbright，thelittleboyplaysalldaywithbooksandtoys。Hismotherandhisfathercherishhim;henestlesontheirkneesintheredfirelightatnight，whiletheyreadtohimlovelystories，orsingsweetoldsongstohim，——thehappylittleboy！AndoutsideIpeepoverthesnowandseeastreamofruddylightfromacrackinthewindow—
shutter，andInodoutherealoneinthedark，thinkinghowbeautifulitis。
\"`AndhereIwaitpatiently。Itakethesnowandtherainandthecold，andIamnotsorry，butglad;forinmyrootsIfeelwarmthandlife，andIknowthatastoreofgreennessandbeautyisshutupsafeinmysmallbrownbuds。Dayandnightgoagainandagain;littlebylittlethesnowmeltsallaway;thegroundgrowssoft;
theskyisblue;thelittlebirdsflyovercrying，\"Itisspring！itisspring！\"Ah！
thenthroughallmytwigsIfeeltheslowsapstirring。
\"`Warmergrowthesunbeams，andsoftertheair。Thesmallbladesofgrasscreepthickaboutmyfeet;thesweetrainhelpsswellmyshiningbuds。MoreandmoreIpushforthmyleaves，tilloutIburstinagaygreendress，andnodinjoyandpride。Thelittleboycomesrunningtolookatme，andcries，\"Oh，mamma！thelittleblackberry—bushisaliveandbeautifulandgreen。Oh，comeandsee！\"AndIhear;andIbowmyheadinthesummerwind;andeverydaytheywatchmegrowmorebeautiful，tillatlastIshakeoutblossoms，fairandfragrant。
\"`Afewdaysmore，andIdropthewhitepetalsdownamongthegrass，and，lo！thegreentinyberries！CarefullyIholdthemuptothesun;carefullyIgatherthedewinthesummernights;slowlytheyripen;
theygrowlargerandredderanddarker，andatlasttheyareblack，shining，delicious。IholdthemashighasIcanforthelittleboy，whocomesdancingout。Heshoutswithjoy，andgatherstheminhisdearhand;andherunstosharethemwithhismother，saying，\"Hereiswhatthepatientblackberry—bushboreforus：seehownice，mamma！\"
\"`Ah！thenindeedIamglad，andwouldsay，ifIcould，\"Yes，takethem，dearlittleboy;Ikeptthemforyou，heldthemlonguptosunandraintomakethemsweetandripeforyou;\"andInodandnodinfullcontent，formyworkisdone。Fromthewindowhewatchesmeandthinks，\"Thereisthelittleblackberry—bushthatwassokindtome。IseeitandIloveit。Iknowitissafeouttherenoddingallalone，andnextsummeritwillholdripeberriesupformetogatheragain。\"’\"
Thentheweeboysmiled，andlikedthelittlestory。Hismothertookhimupinherarms，andtheywentouttosupperandlefttheblackberry—bushnoddingupanddowninthewind;andthereitisnoddingyet。
THEFAIRIES[1]
[1]ByWilliamAllingham。
Uptheairymountain，Downtherushyglen，Wedaren’tgoa—huntingForfearoflittlemen。
Weefolk，goodfolk，Troopingalltogether;
Greenjacket，redcap，Andwhiteowl’sfeather！
DownalongtherockyshoreSomemaketheirhome——
TheyliveoncrispypancakesOfyellowtide—foam;
SomeinthereedsOftheblackmountain—lake，Withfrogsfortheirwatch—dogs，Allnightawake。
HighonthehilltopTheoldKingsits;
Heisnowsooldandgray，He’snighlosthiswits。
WithabridgeofwhitemistColumbkillhecrosses，OnhisstatelyjourneysFromSlieveleaguetoRosses;
OrgoingupwithmusicOncoldstarrynights，TosupwiththeQueenOfthegayNorthernLights。
TheystolelittleBridgetForsevenyearslong;
WhenshecamedownagainHerfriendswereallgone。
Theytookherlightlyback，Betweenthenightandmorrow;
Theythoughtthatshewasfastasleep，Butshewasdeadwithsorrow。
TheyhavekepthereversinceDeepwithinthelake，Onabedofflag—leaves，Watchingtillshewake。
Bythecraggyhillside，Throughthemossesbare，Theyhaveplantedthorn—trees，Forpleasurehereandthere。
IsanymansodaringAsdigthemupinspite，HeshallfindtheirsharpestthornsInhisbedatnight。
Uptheairymountain，Downtherushyglen，Wedaren’tgoa—huntingForfearoflittlemen。
Weefolk，goodfolk，Troopingalltogether;
Greenjacket，redcap，Andwhiteowl’sfeather！
THEADVENTURESOFTHELITTLEFIELDMOUSE
Onceuponatime，therewasalittlebrownFieldMouse;andonedayhewasoutinthefieldstoseewhathecouldsee。Hewasrunningalonginthegrass，pokinghisnoseintoeverythingandlookingwithhistwoeyesallabout，whenhesawasmooth，shinyacorn，lyinginthegrass。Itwassuchafineshinylittleacornthathethoughthewouldtakeithomewithhim;soheputouthispawtotouchit，butthelittleacornrolledawayfromhim。Heranafterit，butitkeptrollingon，justaheadofhim，tillitcametoaplacewhereabigoak—treehaditsrootsspreadallovertheground。Thenitrolledunderabigroundroot。
LittleMr。FieldMouserantotherootandpokedhisnoseunderaftertheacorn，andtherehesawasmallroundholeintheground。Heslippedthroughandsawsomestairsgoingdownintotheearth。
Theacornwasrollingdown，withasofttappingsound，aheadofhim，sodownhewenttoo。Down，down，down，rolledtheacorn，anddown，down，down，wenttheFieldMouse，untilsuddenlyhesawatinydooratthefootofthestairs。
Theshinyacornrolledtothedoorandstruckagainstitwithatap。Quicklythelittledooropenedandtheacornrolledinside。TheFieldMousehurriedasfastashecoulddownthelaststairs，andpushedthroughjustasthedoorwasclosing。Itshutbehindhim，andhewasinalittleroom。Andthere，beforehim，stoodaqueerlittleRedMan！Hehadalittleredcap，andalittleredjacket，andoddlittleredshoeswithpointsatthetoes。
\"Youaremyprisoner，\"hesaidtotheFieldMouse。
\"Whatfor？\"saidtheFieldMouse。
\"Becauseyoutriedtostealmyacorn，\"
saidthelittleRedMan。
\"Itismyacorn，\"saidtheFieldMouse;
\"Ifoundit。\"
\"No，itisn’t，\"saidthelittleRedMan，\"Ihaveit;youwillneverseeitagain。\"
ThelittleFieldMouselookedallabouttheroomasfastashecould，buthecouldnotseeanyacorn。Thenhethoughthewouldgobackupthetinystairstohisownhome。Butthelittledoorwaslocked，andthelittleRedManhadthekey。Andhesaidtothepoormouse，——
\"Youshallbemyservant;youshallmakemybedandsweepmyroomandcookmybroth。\"
SothelittlebrownMousewasthelittleRedMan’sservant，andeverydayhemadethelittleRedMan’sbedandsweptthelittleRedMan’sroomandcookedthelittleRedMan’sbroth。AndeverydaythelittleRedManwentawaythroughthetinydoor，anddidnotcomebacktillafternoon。
Buthealwayslockedthedoorafterhim，andcarriedawaythekey。
Atlast，onedayhewasinsuchahurrythatheturnedthekeybeforethedoorwasquitelatched，which，ofcourse，didn’tlockitatall。Hewentawaywithoutnoticing，——hewasinsuchahurry。
ThelittleFieldMouseknewthathischancehadcometorunawayhome。Buthedidn’twanttogowithoutthepretty，shinyacorn。Whereitwashedidn’tknow，sohelookedeverywhere。Heopenedeverylittledrawerandlookedin，butitwasn’tinanyofthedrawers;hepeepedoneveryshelf，butitwasn’tonashelf;hehuntedineverycloset，butitwasn’tinthere。
Finally，heclimbeduponachairandopenedawee，weedoorinthechimney—
piece，——andthereitwas！
Hetookitquicklyinhisforepaws，andthenhetookitinhismouth，andthenheranaway。Hepushedopenthelittledoor;
heclimbedup，up，upthelittlestairs;hecameoutthroughtheholeundertheroot;
heranandranthroughthefields;andatlasthecametohisownhouse。
Whenhewasinhisownhousehesettheshinyacornonthetable。Iguesshesetitdownhard，forallatonce，withalittlesnap，itopened！——exactlylikealittlebox。
Andwhatdoyouthink！Therewasatinynecklaceinside！Itwasamostbeautifultinynecklace，allmadeofjewels，anditwasjustbigenoughforaladymouse。
SothelittleFieldMousegavethetinynecklacetohislittleMouse—sister。Shethoughtitwasperfectlylovely。Andwhenshewasn’twearingitshekeptitintheshinyacornbox。
AndthelittleRedManneverknewwhathadbecomeofit，becausehedidn’tknowwherethelittleFieldMouselived。
ANOTHERLITTLEREDHEN[1]
[1]Adaptedfromtheverseversion，whichisgivenhereasanalternative。
OnceuponatimetherewasalittleRedHen，wholivedonafarmallbyherself。
AnoldFox，craftyandsly，hadadenintherocks，onahillnearherhouse。ManyandmanyanightthisoldFoxusedtolieawakeandthinktohimselfhowgoodthatlittleRedHenwouldtasteifhecouldoncegetherinhisbigkettleandboilherfordinner。
Buthecouldn’tcatchthelittleRedHen，becauseshewastoowiseforhim。Everytimeshewentouttomarketshelockedthedoorofthehousebehindher，andassoonasshecameinagainshelockedthedoorbehindherandputthekeyinherapronpocket，whereshekeptherscissorsandasugarcooky。
AtlasttheoldFoxthoughtupawaytocatchthelittleRedHen。Earlyinthemorninghesaidtohisoldmother，\"HavethekettleboilingwhenIcomehometo—
night，forI’llbebringingthelittleRedHenforsupper。\"Thenhetookabigbagandslungitoverhisshoulder，andwalkedtillhecametothelittleRedHen’shouse。
ThelittleRedHenwasjustcomingoutofherdoortopickupafewsticksforkindlingwood。SotheoldFoxhidbehindthewood—
pile，andassoonasshebentdowntogetastick，intothehouseheslipped，andscurriedbehindthedoor。
InaminutethelittleRedHencamequicklyin，andshutthedoorandlockedit。\"I’mgladI’msafelyin，\"shesaid。
Justasshesaidit，sheturnedround，andtherestoodtheuglyoldFox，withhisbigbagoverhisshoulder。Whiff！howscaredthelittleRedHenwas！Shedroppedherapronfulofsticks，andflewuptothebigbeamacrosstheceiling。Theresheperched，andshesaidtotheoldFox，downbelow，\"Youmayaswellgohome，foryoucan’tgetme。\"
\"Can’tI，though！\"saidtheFox。Andwhatdoyouthinkhedid？HestoodonthefloorunderneaththelittleRedHenandtwirledroundinacircleafterhisowntail。Andashespun，andspun，andspun，faster，andfaster，andfaster，thepoorlittleRedHengotsodizzywatchinghimthatshecouldn’tholdontotheperch。Shedroppedoff，andtheoldFoxpickedherupandputherinhisbag，slungthebagoverhisshoulder，andstartedforhome，wherethekettlewasboiling。
Hehadaverylongwaytogo，uphill，andthelittleRedHenwasstillsodizzythatshedidn’tknowwhereshewas。Butwhenthedizzinessbegantogooff，shewhiskedherlittlescissorsoutofherapronpocket，andsnip！shecutalittleholeinthebag;thenshepokedherheadoutandsawwhereshewas，andassoonastheycametoagoodspotshecuttheholebiggerandjumpedoutherself。Therewasagreatbigstonelyingthere，andthelittleRedHenpickeditupandputitinthebagasquickasawink。Thensheranasfastasshecouldtillshecametoherownlittlefarm—
house，andshewentinandlockedthedoorwiththebigkey。
TheoldFoxwentoncarryingthestoneandneverknewthedifference。My，butitbumpedhimwell！Hewasprettytiredwhenhegothome。Buthewassopleasedtothinkofthesupperhewasgoingtohavethathedidnotmindthatatall。Assoonashismotheropenedthedoorhesaid，\"Isthekettleboiling？\"
\"Yes，\"saidhismother;\"haveyougotthelittleRedHen？\"
\"Ihave，\"saidtheoldFox。\"WhenI
openthebagyouholdthecoveroffthekettleandI’llshakethebagsothattheHenwillfallin，andthenyoupopthecoveron，beforeshecanjumpout。\"
\"Allright，\"saidhismeanoldmother;
andshestoodclosebytheboilingkettle，readytoputthecoveron。
TheFoxliftedthebig，heavybaguptillitwasovertheopenkettle，andgaveitashake。Splash！thump！splash！Inwentthestoneandoutcametheboilingwater，allovertheoldFoxandtheoldFox’smother！
Andtheywerescaldedtodeath。
ButthelittleRedHenlivedhappilyeverafter，inherownlittlefarmhouse。
THESTORYOFTHELITTLERIDHIN[1]
[1]FromHoraceE。Scudder’sDoingsoftheBodleyFamilyinTownandCountry（Houghton，Mifflin&Co。）。
Therewasonce’tuponatimeAlittlesmallRidHin，OffinthegoodouldcountryWhereyeesha’nivirbin。
Niceandquietshureshewas，Andnivirdidanyharrum;
Shelivedalaneallbeherself，Andworkeduponherfarrum。
Therelivedouto’erthehill，Inagreatdino’rocks，Acrafty，shly，andwickedOuldfollyivaFox。
ThisrashkillivaFox，HetukitinhisheadHe’dhavethelittleRidHin：
So，whinhewinttobed，HelaidawakeandthaughtWhatafoinething’twadbeTofetchherhomeandbileherupForhisouldmarmandhe。
Andsohethaughtandthaught，UntilhegrewsothinThattherewasnothin’leftofhimButjisthisbonesandshkin。
ButthesmallRidHinwaswise，Shealwayslockedherdoor，Andinherpocketpitthekey，TokeeptheFoxoutshure。
ButatlasttherecameaschameIntilhiswickedhead，AndhetukagreatbigbagAndtohismithersaid，——
\"Nowhavethepotallbilin’
AginthetimeIcome;
We’llatethesmallRidHinto—night，ForshureI’llbringherhome。\"
AndsoawayhewintWidthebaguponhisback，An’upthehillandthroughthewoodsSaftlyhemadehistrack。
An’thinhecamealang，Crapingasshtill’samouse，TowherethelittlesmallRidHinLivedinhershnugouldhouse。
An’outshecomeshersel’，Jistashegotinsight，Topickupshtickstomakeherfire：
\"Aha！\"saysFox，\"allright。
\"Begorra，now，I’llhaveyeesWidoutmuchthroublemore;\"
An’inheshlipsquiteunbeknownst，An’hidesbe’indthedoor。
An’thin，aminuteafther，IncomesthesmallRidHin，An’shutsthedoor，andlocksit，too，An’thinks，\"I’msafelyin。\"
An’thinshetarnsaroundAn’looksbe’indthedoor;
ThereshtandstheFoxwidhisbigtailShpreadoutuponthefloor。
Dearme！shewassoscharedWidsuchawondroussight，Shedroppedherapronfulofshticks，An’flewupinafright，An’lightedonthebameAcrossontoptheroom;
\"Aha！\"saysshe，\"yedon’thaveme;
Yemayaswellgohome。\"
\"Aha！\"saysFox，\"we’llsee;
I’llbringyeesdownfromthat。\"
SoouthemarcheduponthefloorRightunderwhereshesat。
An’thinhewhiruledaround，An’roundan’roundan’round，Fashteran’fashteran’fashter，Aftherhistailontheground。
UntilthesmallRidHinShegotsodizzy，shure，Widlookin’attheFox’stail，Shejistdroppedonthefloor。
An’Foxhewhippedherup，An’pitherinhisbag，An’offhestartedallalone，Himandhislittledag。
AlldayhetrackedthewoodUphillan’downagain;
An’widhim，shmotherin’inthebag，ThelittlesmallRidHin。
SorraaknowsheknowedAwhereshewasthatday;
Saysshe，\"I’mbiledan’ateup，shure，An’what’llbetopay？\"
Thinshebetho’thersel’，An’tukherschissorsout，An’shnippedabigholeinthebag，Soshecouldlookabout。
An’’foreouldFoxcouldthinkSheleptrightout——shedid，An’thinpickedupagreatbigshtone，An’poppeditininstid。
An’thinsherinsoffhome，Heroutsidedoorshelocks;
Thinksshe，\"Youseeyoudon’thaveme，Youcrafty，shlyouldFox。\"
An’Fox，hetuggedawayWidthegreatbighivyshtone，Thimpin’hisshouldersverybadAshewintinalone。
An’whinhecameinsightO’hisgreatdino’rocks，Jistwatchin’forhimatthedoorHeshpiedouldmitherFox。
\"Haveyethepota—bilin’？\"
SayshetoouldFoxthin;
\"Shurean’itis，mechild，\"saysshe;
\"HaveyethesmallRidHin？\"
\"Yes，jisthereinmebag，AsshureasIshtandhere;
OpenthelidtillIpitherin：
Openit——niverfear。\"
Sotherashkillcutthesthring，An’hildthebigbagover;
\"NowwhenIshakeitin，\"sayshe，\"Doyepitonthecover。\"
\"Yis，thatIwill;\"an’thinTheshtonewintinwidadash，An’thepotoybilin’watherCameoverthemker—splash。
An’schalted’embothtodeath，Sotheycouldn’tbrathenomore;
An’thelittlesmallRidHinlivedsafe，Jistwhereshelivedbefore。
THESTORYOFEPAMINONDASANDHISAUNTIE[1]
[1]ASouthernnonsensetale。
EpaminondasusedtogotoseehisAuntie’mosteveryday，andshenearlyalwaysgavehimsomethingtotakehometohisMammy。
Onedayshegavehimabigpieceofcake;
nice，yellow，richgold—cake。
Epaminondastookitinhisfistandhelditallscruncheduptight，likethis，andcamealonghome。Bythetimehegothometherewasn’tanythingleftbutafistfulofcrumbs。HisMammysaid，——
\"Whatyougotthere，Epaminondas？\"
\"Cake，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
\"Cake！\"saidhisMammy。\"Epaminondas，youain’tgotthesenseyouwasbornwith！That’snowaytocarrycake。Thewaytocarrycakeistowrapitallupniceinsomeleavesandputitinyourhat，andputyourhatonyourhead，andcomealonghome。Youhearme，Epaminondas？\"
\"Yes，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
NextdayEpaminondaswenttoseehisAuntie，andshegavehimapoundofbutterforhisMammy;fine，fresh，sweetbutter。
Epaminondaswrappeditupinleavesandputitinhishat，andputhishatonhishead，andcamealonghome。Itwasaveryhotday。Prettysoonthebutterbegantomelt。Itmelted，andmelted，andasitmelteditrandownEpaminondas’forehead;
thenitranoverhisface，andinhisears，anddownhisneck。Whenhegothome，allthebutterEpaminondashadwasONHIM。HisMammylookedathim，andthenshesaid，——
\"Law’ssake！Epaminondas，whatyougotinyourhat？\"
\"Butter，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas;
\"Auntiegaveittome。\"
\"Butter！\"saidhisMammy。\"Epaminondas，youain’tgotthesenseyouwasbornwith！Don’tyouknowthat’snowaytocarrybutter？Thewaytocarrybutteristowrapitupinsomeleavesandtakeitdowntothebrook，andcoolitinthewater，andcoolitinthewater，andcoolitinthewater，andthentakeitonyourhands，careful，andbringitalonghome。\"
\"Yes，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
Byandby，anotherday，EpaminondaswenttoseehisAuntieagain，andthistimeshegavehimalittlenewpuppy—dogtotakehome。
Epaminondasputitinsomeleavesandtookitdowntothebrook;andtherehecooleditinthewater，andcooleditinthewater，andcooleditinthewater;thenhetookitinhishandsandcamealonghome。
Whenhegothome，thepuppy—dogwasdead。HisMammylookedatit，andshesaid，——
\"Law’ssake！Epaminondas，whatyougotthere？\"
\"Apuppy—dog，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
\"APUPPY—DOG！\"saidhisMammy。\"Mygracioussakesalive，Epaminondas，youain’tgotthesenseyouwasbornwith！
Thatain’tthewaytocarryapuppy—dog！
Thewaytocarryapuppy—dogistotakealongpieceofstringandtieoneendofitroundthepuppy—dog’sneckandputthepuppy—dogontheground，andtakeholdoftheotherendofthestringandcomealonghome，likethis。\"
\"Allright，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
Nextday，EpaminondaswenttoseehisAuntieagain，andwhenhecametogohomeshegavehimaloafofbreadtocarrytohisMammy;abrown，fresh，crustyloafofbread。
SoEpaminondastiedastringaroundtheendoftheloafandtookholdoftheendofthestringandcamealonghome，likethis。
（Imitatedraggingsomethingalongtheground。）WhenhegothomehisMammylookedatthethingontheendofthestring，andshesaid，——
\"Mylawsa—massy！Epaminondas，whatyougotontheendofthatstring？\"
\"Bread，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas;
\"Auntiegaveittome。\"
\"Bread！！！\"saidhisMammy。\"O
Epaminondas，Epaminondas，youain’tgotthesenseyouwasbornwith;youneverdidhavethesenseyouwasbornwith;youneverwillhavethesenseyouwasbornwith！NowIain’tgwinetellyouanymorewaystobringtruckhome。Anddon’tyougoseeyourAuntie，neither。I’llgoseehermyownself。ButI’lljusttellyouonething，Epaminondas！YouseetheseheresixmincepiesIdonemake？YouseehowIdoneset’emonthedoorsteptocool？
Well，now，youhearme，Epaminondas，YOUBECAREFULHOWYOUSTEPONTHOSEPIES！\"
\"Yes，Mammy，\"saidEpaminondas。
ThenEpaminondas’MammyputonherbonnetandhershawlandtookabasketinherhandandwentawaytoseeAuntie。Thesixmincepiessatcoolinginarowonthedoorstep。
Andthen，——andthen，——EpaminondasWAScarefulhowhesteppedonthosepies！
Hestepped（imitate）——right——in——
the——middle——of——every——one……
And，doyouknow，children，nobodyknowswhathappenednext！Thepersonwhotoldmethestorydidn’tknow;nobodyknows。
Butyoucanguess。
THEBOYWHOCRIED\"WOLF！\"
Therewasonceashepherd—boywhokepthisflockatalittledistancefromthevillage。Oncehethoughthewouldplayatrickonthevillagersandhavesomefunattheirexpense。Soherantowardthevillagecryingout，withallhismight，——
\"Wolf！Wolf！Comeandhelp！Thewolvesareatmylambs！\"
Thekindvillagerslefttheirworkandrantothefieldtohelphim。Butwhentheygottheretheboylaughedatthemfortheirpains;therewasnowolfthere。
Stillanotherdaytheboytriedthesametrick，andthevillagerscamerunningtohelpandgotlaughedatagain。
Thenonedayawolfdidbreakintothefoldandbegankillingthelambs。Ingreatfright，theboyranforhelp。\"Wolf！Wolf！\"
hescreamed。\"Thereisawolfintheflock！
Help！\"
Thevillagersheardhim，buttheythoughtitwasanothermeantrick;noonepaidtheleastattention，orwentnearhim。Andtheshepherd—boylostallhissheep。
Thatisthekindofthingthathappenstopeoplewholie：evenwhentheytellthetruthnoonebelievesthem。
THEFROGKING
DidyoueverheartheoldstoryaboutthefoolishFrogs？TheFrogsinacertainswampdecidedthattheyneededaking;
theyhadalwaysgotalongperfectlywellwithoutone，buttheysuddenlymadeuptheirmindsthatakingtheymusthave。
TheysentamessengertoJoveandbeggedhimtosendakingtoruleoverthem。
Jovesawhowstupidtheywere，andsentakingwhocouldnotharmthem：hetossedabiglogintothemiddleofthepond。
AtthesplashtheFrogswereterriblyfrightened，anddoveintotheirholestohidefromKingLog。Butafterawhile，whentheysawthatthekingnevermoved，theygotovertheirfrightandwentandsatonhim。Andassoonastheyfoundhereallycouldnothurtthemtheybegantodespisehim;andfinallytheysentanothermessengertoJovetoaskforanewking。
Jovesentaneel。
TheFrogsweremuchpleasedandagooddealfrightenedwhenKingEelcamewrigglingandswimmingamongthem。Butasthedayswenton，andtheeelwasperfectlyharmless，theystoppedbeingafraid;
andassoonastheystoppedfearingKingEeltheystoppedrespectinghim。
SoontheysentathirdmessengertoJove，andbeggedthattheymighthaveabetterking，——akingwhowasworthwhile。
Itwastoomuch;Jovewasangryattheirstupidityatlast。\"Iwillgiveyouakingsuchasyoudeserve！\"hesaid;andhesentthemaStork。
AssoonastheFrogscametothesurfacetogreetthenewking，KingStorkcaughttheminhislongbillandgobbledthemup。
Oneafteranothertheycamebobbingup，andoneafteranotherthestorkatethem。
Hewasindeedakingworthyofthem！
THESUNANDTHEWIND
TheSunandtheWindoncehadaquarrelastowhichwasthestronger。Eachbelievedhimselftobethemorepowerful。
Whiletheywerearguingtheysawatravelerwalkingalongthecountryhighway，wearingagreatcloak。
\"Hereisachancetotestourstrength，\"
saidtheWind;\"letusseewhichofusisstrongenoughtomakethattravelertakeoffhiscloak;theonewhocandothatshallbeacknowledgedthemorepowerful。\"
\"Agreed，\"saidtheSun。
InstantlytheWindbegantoblow;hepuffedandtuggedattheman’scloak，andraisedastormofhailandrain，tobeatatit。Butthecolderitgrewandthemoreitstormed，thetighterthetravelerheldhiscloakaroundhim。TheWindcouldnotgetitoff。
NowitwastheSun’sturn。Heshonewithallhisbeamsontheman’sshoulders。
Asitgrewhotterandhotter，themanunfastenedhiscloak;thenhethrewitback;
atlasthetookitoff！TheSunhadwon。
THELITTLEJACKALANDTHEALLIGATOR
ThelittleJackalwasveryfondofshell—
fish。Heusedtogodownbytheriverandhuntalongtheedgesforcrabsandsuchthings。Andonce，whenhewashuntingforcrabs，hewassohungrythatheputhispawintothewaterafteracrabwithoutlookingfirst，——whichyounevershoulddo！Theminuteheputinhispaw，SNAP！
——thebigAlligatorwholivesinthemuddowntherehaditinhisjaws。
\"Oh，dear！\"thoughtthelittleJackal;
\"thebigAlligatorhasmypawinhismouth！Inanotherminutehewillpullmedownandgobblemeup！WhatshallI
do？whatshallIdo？\"Thenhethought，suddenly，\"I’lldeceivehim！\"
Soheputonaverycheerfulvoice，asifnothingatallwerethematter，andhesaid，——
\"Ho！ho！CleverMr。Alligator！SmartMr。Alligator，totakethatoldbulrushrootformypaw！I’llhopeyou’llfinditverytender！\"
TheoldAlligatorwashiddenawaybeneaththemudandbulrushleaves，andhecouldn’tseeanything。Hethought，\"Pshaw！I’vemadeamistake。\"SoheopenedhismouthandletthelittleJackalgo。
ThelittleJackalranawayasfastashecould，andasheranhecalledout，——
\"Thankyou，Mr。Alligator！KindMr。
Alligator！SOkindofyoutoletmego！\"
TheoldAlligatorlashedwithhistailandsnappedwithhisjaws，butitwastoolate;thelittleJackalwasoutofreach。
AfterthisthelittleJackalkeptawayfromtheriver，outofdanger。Butafteraboutaweekhegotsuchanappetiteforcrabsthatnothingelsewoulddoatall;
hefeltthathemusthaveacrab。Sohewentdownbytheriverandlookedallaround，verycarefully。Hedidn’tseetheoldAlligator，buthethoughttohimself，\"IthinkI’llnottakeanychances。\"Sohestoodstillandbegantotalkoutloudtohimself。Hesaid，——
\"WhenIdon’tseeanylittlecrabsonthelandImostgenerallyseethemstickingoutofthewater，andthenIputmypawinandcatchthem。Iwonderifthereareanyfatlittlecrabsinthewatertoday？\"
TheoldAlligatorwashiddendowninthemudatthebottomoftheriver，andwhenheheardwhatthelittleJackalsaid，hethought，\"Aha！I’llpretendtobealittlecrab，andwhenheputshispawin，I’llmakemydinnerofhim。\"Sohestucktheblackendofhissnoutabovethewaterandwaited。
ThelittleJackaltookonelook，andthenhesaid，——
\"Thankyou，Mr。Alligator！KindMr。
Alligator！YouareEXCEEDINGLYkindtoshowmewhereyouare！Iwillhavedinnerelsewhere。\"Andheranawaylikethewind。
TheoldAlligatorfoamedatthemouth，hewassoangry，butthelittleJackalwasgone。
FortwowholeweeksthelittleJackalkeptawayfromtheriver。Then，onedayhegotafeelinginsidehimthatnothingbutcrabscouldsatisfy;hefeltthathemusthaveatleastonecrab。Verycautiously，hewentdowntotheriverandlookedallaround。HesawnosignoftheoldAlligator。Still，hedidnotmeantotakeanychances。Sohestoodquitestillandbegantotalktohimself，——itwasalittlewayhehad。Hesaid，——
\"WhenIdon’tseeanylittlecrabsontheshore，orstickingupoutofthewater，Iusuallyseethemblowingbubblesfromunderthewater;thelittlebubblesgoPUFF，PUFF，PUFF，andthentheygoPOP，POP，POP，andtheyshowmewherethelittlejuicycrabsare，soIcanputmypawinandcatchthem。IwonderifIshallseeanylittlebubblesto—day？\"
TheoldAlligator，lyinglowinthemudandweeds，heardthis，andhethought，\"Pooh！THAT’Seasyenough;I’lljustblowsomelittlecrab—bubbles，andthenhewillputhispawinwhereIcangetit。\"
Soheblew，andheblew，amightyblast，andthebubblesroseinaperfectwhirlpool，fizzingandswirling。
ThelittleJackaldidn’thavetobetoldwhowasunderneaththosebubbles：hetookonequicklook，andoffheran。Butashewent，hesang，——
\"Thankyou，Mr。Alligator！KindMr。
Alligator！YouarethekindestAlligatorintheworld，toshowmewhereyouare，sonicely！I’llbreakfastatanotherpartoftheriver。\"
TheoldAlligatorwassofuriousthathecrawleduponthebankandwentafterthelittleJackal;but，dear，dear，hecouldn’tcatchthelittleJackal;heranfartoofast。
Afterthis，thelittleJackaldidnotliketoriskgoingnearthewater，soheatenomorecrabs。Buthefoundagardenofwildfigs，whichweresogoodthathewentthereeveryday，andatetheminsteadofshell—fish。
NowtheoldAlligatorfoundthisout，andhemadeuphismindtohavethelittleJackalforsupper，ortodietrying。Sohecrept，andcrawled，anddraggedhimselfoverthegroundtothegardenofwildfigs。
Therehemadeahugepileoffigsunderthebiggestofthewildfigtrees，andhidhimselfinthepile。