AfterawhilethelittleJackalcamedancingintothegarden，veryhappyandcare—free，——BUTlookingallaround。Hesawthehugepileoffigsunderthebigfigtree。
\"H—m，\"hethought，\"thatlookssingularlylikemyfriend，theAlligator。I’llinvestigateabit。\"
Hestoodquitestillandbegantotalktohimself，——itwasalittlewayhehad。Hesaid，——
\"ThelittlefigsIlikebestarethefat，ripe，juicyonesthatdropoffwhenthebreezeblows;andthenthewindblowsthemaboutontheground，thiswayandthat;thegreatheapoffigsoverthereissostillthatIthinktheymustbeallbadfigs。\"
TheoldAlligator，underneathhisfigpile，thought，——
\"BotherthesuspiciouslittleJackal，Ishallhavetomakethesefigsrollabout，sothathewillthinkthewindmovesthem。\"Andstraightwayhehumpedhimselfupandmoved，andsentthelittlefigsflying，——andhisbackshowedthrough。
ThelittleJackaldidnotwaitforasecondlook。Heranoutofthegardenlikethewind。Butasheranhecalledback，——
\"Thankyou，again，Mr。Alligator;verysweetofyoutoshowmewhereyouare;I
can’tstaytothankyouasIshouldlike：
good—by！\"
AtthistheoldAlligatorwasbesidehimselfwithrage。HevowedthathewouldhavethelittleJackalforsupperthistime，comewhatmight。SohecreptandcrawledoverthegroundtillhecametothelittleJackal’shouse。Thenhecreptandcrawledinside，andhidhimselfthereinthehouse，towaittillthelittleJackalshouldcomehome。
ByandbythelittleJackalcamedancinghome，happyandcare—free，——BUT
lookingallaround。Presently，ashecamealong，hesawthatthegroundwasallscratchedupasifsomethingveryheavyhadbeendraggedoverit。ThelittleJackalstoppedandlooked。
\"What’sthis？what’sthis？\"hesaid。
Thenhesawthatthedoorofhishousewascrushedatthesidesandbroken，asifsomethingverybighadgonethroughit。
\"What’sthis？What’sthis？\"thelittleJackalsaid。\"IthinkI’llinvestigatealittle！\"
Sohestoodquitestillandbegantotalktohimself（youremember，itwasalittlewayhehad），butloudly。Hesaid，——
\"HowstrangethatmylittleHousedoesn’tspeaktome！Whydon’tyouspeaktome，littleHouse？Youalwaysspeaktome，ifeverythingisallright，whenIcomehome。IwonderifanythingiswrongwithmylittleHouse？\"
TheoldAlligatorthoughttohimselfthathemustcertainlypretendtobethelittleHouse，orthelittleJackalwouldnevercomein。Soheputonaspleasantavoiceashecould（whichisnotsayingmuch）andsaid，——
\"Hullo，littleJackal！\"
Oh！whenthelittleJackalheardthat，hewasfrightenedenough，foronce。
\"It’stheoldAlligator，\"hesaid，\"andifIdon’tmakeanendofhimthistimehewillcertainlymakeanendofme。WhatshallIdo？\"
Hethoughtveryfast。Thenhespokeoutpleasantly。
\"Thankyou，littleHouse，\"hesaid，\"it’sgoodtohearyourprettyvoice，dearlittleHouse，andIwillbeinwithyouinaminute;onlyfirstImustgathersomefirewoodfordinner。\"
Thenhewentandgatheredfirewood，andmorefirewood，andmorefirewood;
andhepileditallupsolidagainstthedoorandroundthehouse;andthenhesetfiretoit！
AnditsmokedandburnedtillitsmokedthatoldAlligatortosmokedherring！
THELARKSINTHECORNFIELD
TherewasonceafamilyoflittleLarkswholivedwiththeirmotherinanestinacornfield。WhenthecornwasripethemotherLarkwatchedverycarefullytoseeiftherewereanysignofthereapers’
coming，forsheknewthatwhentheycametheirsharpkniveswouldcutdownthenestandhurtthebabyLarks。Soeveryday，whenshewentoutforfood，shetoldthelittleLarkstolookandlistenverycloselytoeverythingthatwenton，andtotellheralltheysawandheardwhenshecamehome。
OnedaywhenshecamehomethelittleLarksweremuchfrightened。
\"Oh，Mother，dearMother，\"theysaid，\"youmustmoveusawayto—night！Thefarmerwasinthefieldto—day，andhesaid，`Thecornisreadytocut;wemustcallintheneighborstohelp。’Andthenhetoldhissontogooutto—nightandaskalltheneighborstocomeandreapthecornto—morrow。\"
ThemotherLarklaughed。\"Don’tbefrightened，\"shesaid;\"ifhewaitsforhisneighborstoreapthecornweshallhaveplentyoftimetomove;tellmewhathesaysto—morrow。\"
ThenextnightthelittleLarkswerequitetremblingwithfear;themomenttheirmothergothometheycriedout，\"Mother，youmustsurelymoveusto—night！Thefarmercameto—dayandsaid，`Thecornisgettingtooripe;wecannotwaitforourneighbors;wemustaskourrelativestohelpus。’Andthenhecalledhissonandtoldhimtoaskalltheunclesandcousinstocometo—morrowandcutthecorn。Shallwenotmoveto—night？\"
\"Don’tworry，\"saidthemotherLark;
\"theunclesandcousinshaveplentyofreapingtodoforthemselves;we’llnotmoveyet。\"
Thethirdnight，whenthemotherLarkcamehome，thebabyLarkssaid，\"Mother，dear，thefarmercametothefieldto—day，andwhenhelookedatthecornhewasquiteangry;hesaid，`Thiswillneverdo！
Thecornisgettingtooripe;it’snousetowaitforourrelatives，weshallhavetocutthiscornourselves。’Andthenhecalledhissonandsaid，`Gooutto—nightandhirereapers，andto—morrowwewillbegintocut。’\"
\"Well，\"saidthemother，\"thatisanotherstory;whenamanbeginstodohisownbusiness，insteadofaskingsomebodyelsetodoit，thingsgetdone。Iwillmoveyououtto—night。\"
ATRUESTORYABOUTAGIRL
Oncetherewerefourlittlegirlswholivedinabig，barehouse，inthecountry。
Theywereverypoor，buttheyhadthehappiesttimesyoueverheardof，becausetheywereveryrichineverythingexceptjustmoney。Theyhadawonderful，wisefather，whoknewstoriestotell，andwhotaughtthemtheirlessonsinsuchabeautifulwaythatitwasbetterthanplay;theyhadalovely，merry，kindmother，whowasnevertootiredtohelpthemworkorwatchthemplay;andtheyhadallthegreatgreencountrytoplayin。Thereweredark，shadowywoods，andfieldsofflowers，andariver。Andtherewasabigbarn。
OneofthelittlegirlswasnamedLouisa。
Shewasverypretty，andeversostrong;
shecouldrunformilesthroughthewoodsandnotgettired。Andshehadasplendidbraininherlittlehead;itlikedstudy，anditthoughtinterestingthoughtsalldaylong。
Louisalikedtositinacornerbyherself，sometimes，andwritethoughtsinherdiary;allthelittlegirlskeptdiaries。Shelikedtomakeupstoriesoutofherownhead，andsometimesshemadeverses。
Whenthefourlittlesistershadfinishedtheirlessons，andhadhelpedtheirmothersewandclean，theyusedtogotothebigbarntoplay;andthebestplayofallwastheatricals。Louisalikedtheatricalsbetterthananything。
Theymadethebarnintoatheatre，andthegrownpeoplecametoseetheplaystheyacted。Theyusedtoclimbuponthehay—
mowforastage，andthegrownpeoplesatinchairsonthefloor。Itwasgreatfun。
OneoftheplaystheyactedwasJackandtheBean—Stalk。Theyhadaladderfromthefloortotheloft，andontheladdertheytiedasquashvineallthewayuptotheloft，tolooklikethewonderfulbean—stalk。
OneofthelittlegirlswasdresseduptolooklikeJack，andsheactedthatpart。
WhenitcametotheplaceinthestorywherethegianttriedtofollowJack，thelittlegirlcutdownthebean—stalk，anddowncamethegianttumblingfromtheloft。Thegiantwasmadeoutofpillows，withagreat，fierceheadofpaper，andfunnyclothes。
AnotherstorythattheyactedwasCinderella。Theymadeawonderfulbigpumpkinoutofthewheelbarrow，trimmedwithyellowpaper，andCinderellarolledawayinit，whenthefairygodmotherwavedherwand。
Oneotherbeautifulstorytheyusedtoplay。ItwasthestoryofPilgrim’sProgress;
ifyouhaveneverheardit，youmustbesuretoreaditassoonasyoucanreadwellenoughtounderstandtheold—fashionedwords。Thelittlegirlsusedtoputshellsintheirhatsforasigntheywereonapilgrimage，astheoldpilgrimsusedtodo;thentheymadejourneysoverthehillbehindthehouse，andthroughthewoods，anddownthelanes;andwhenthepilgrimagewasovertheyhadapplesandnutstoeat，inthehappylandofhome。
Louisalovedalltheseplays，andshemadesomeofherownandwrotethemdownsothatthechildrencouldactthem。
ButbetterthanfunorwritingLouisalovedhermother，andbyandby，asthelittlegirlbegantogrowintoabiggirl，shefeltverysadtoseeherdearmotherworksohard。Shehelpedallshecouldwiththehousework，butnothingcouldreallyhelpthetiredmotherexceptmoney;sheneededmoneyforfoodandclothes，andsomeonegrownup，tohelpinthehouse。Butthereneverwasenoughmoneyforthesethings，andLouisa’smothergrewmoreandmoreweary，andsometimesill。IcannottellyouhowmuchLouisasufferedoverthis。
Atlast，asLouisathoughtaboutit，shecametocaremoreabouthelpinghermotherandherfatherandhersistersthanaboutanythingelseinalltheworld。
Andshebegantoworkveryhardtoearnmoney。Shesewedforpeople，andwhenshewasalittleoldershetaughtsomelittlegirlstheirlessons，andthenshewrotestoriesforthepapers。Everybitofmoneysheearned，exceptwhatshehadtouse，shegavetoherdearfamily。Ithelpedverymuch，butitwassolittlethatLouisaneverfeltasifsheweredoinganything。
Everyyearshegrewmoreunselfish，andeveryyearsheworkedharder。Shelikedwritingstoriesbestofallherwork，butshedidnotgetmuchmoneyforthem，andsomepeopletoldhershewaswastinghertime。
Atlast，oneday，apublisheraskedLouisa，whowasnowawoman，towriteabookforgirls。Louisawasnotverywell，andshewasverytired，butshealwayssaid，\"I’lltry，\"whenshehadachancetowork;soshesaid，\"I’lltry，\"tothepublisher。Whenshethoughtaboutthebooksherememberedthegoodtimessheusedtohavewithhersistersinthebig，barehouseinthecountry。Andsoshewroteastoryandputallthatinit;sheputherdearmotherandherwisefatherinit，andallthelittlesisters，andbesidesthejollytimesandtheplays，sheputthesad，hardtimesin，——theworkandworryandgoingwithoutthings。
Whenthebookwaswritten，shecalledit\"LittleWomen，\"andsentittothepublisher。
And，children，thelittlebookmadeLouisafamous。Itwassosweetandfunnyandsadandreal，——likeourownlives，——thateverybodywantedtoreadit。
Everybodyboughtit，andmuchmoneycamefromit。Aftersomanyyears，littleLouisa’swishcametrue：sheboughtanicehouseforherfamily;shesentoneofhersisterstoEurope，tostudy;shegaveherfatherbooks;butbestofall，shewasabletoseetoitthatthebelovedmother，sotiredandsoill，couldhaverestandhappiness。Neveragaindidthedearmotherhavetodoanyhardwork，andshehadprettythingsaboutheralltherestofherlife。
LouisaAlcott，forthatwasLouisa’sname，wrotemanybeautifulbooksafterthis，andshebecameoneofthemostfamouswomenofAmerica。ButIthinkthemostbeautifulthingaboutheriswhatI
havebeentellingyou：thatshelovedhermothersowellthatshegaveherwholelifetomakeherhappy。
MYKINGDOM
ThelittleLouisaItoldyouabout，whowroteversesandstoriesinherdiary，usedtoliketoplaythatshewasaprincess，andthatherkingdomwasherownmind。
Whenshehadunkindordissatisfiedthoughts，shetriedtogetridofthembyplayingtheywereenemiesofthekingdom;
andshedrovethemoutwithsoldiers;
thesoldierswerepatience，duty，andlove。
ItusedtohelpLouisatobegoodtoplaythis，andIthinkitmayhavehelpedmakeherthesplendidwomanshewasafterward。
Maybeyouwouldliketohearapoemshewroteaboutit，whenshewasonlyfourteenyearsold。[1]Itwillhelpyou，too，tothinkthesamethoughts。
[1]FromLouisaM。Alcott’sLife，Letters，andJournals（Little，Brown&Co。）。Copyright，1878，byLouisaM。Alcott。Copyright，1906，byJ。S。P。Alcott。
AlittlekingdomIpossess，Wherethoughtsandfeelingsdwell，AndveryhardIfindthetaskOfgoverningitwell;
Forpassiontemptsandtroublesme，Awaywardwillmisleads，AndselfishnessitsshadowcastsOnallmywordsanddeeds。
HowcanIlearntorulemyself，TobethechildIshould，Honestandbrave，norevertireOftryingtobegood？
HowcanIkeepasunnysoulToshinealonglife’sway？
HowcanItunemylittleheartTosweetlysingallday？
DearFather，helpmewiththeloveThatcastethoutmyfear，Teachmetoleanonthee，andfeelThatthouartverynear，Thatnotemptationisunseen，Nochildishgrieftoosmall，Sincethou，withpatienceinfinite，Dothsootheandcomfortall。
IdonotaskforanycrownButthatwhichallmaywin，Norseektoconqueranyworld，Excepttheonewithin。
BethoumyguideuntilIfind，Ledbyatenderhand，ThyhappykingdominMYSELF，Anddaretotakecommand。
PICCOLA[1]
[1]FromCeliaThaxter’sStoriesandPoemsforChildrenHoughton，Mifflin&Co。）。
Poor，sweetPiccola！DidyouhearWhathappenedtoPiccola，childrendear？
’TisseldomFortunesuchfavorgrantsAsfelltothislittlemaidofFrance。
’TwasChristmas—time，andherparentspoorCouldhardlydrivethewolffromthedoor，Strivingwithpoverty’spatientpainOnlytolivetillsummeragain。
NogiftsforPiccola！SadweretheyWhendawnedthemorningofChristmas—day;
Theirlittledarlingnojoymightstir，St。Nicholasnothingwouldbringtoher！
ButPiccolaneverdoubtedatallThatsomethingbeautifulmustbefallEverychilduponChristmas—day，Andsosheslepttillthedawnwasgray。
Andfulloffaith，whenatlastshewoke，Shestoletohershoeasthemorningbroke;
Suchsoundsofgladnessfilledalltheair，’TwasplainSt。Nicholashadbeenthere！
InrushedPiccolasweet，halfwild：
Neverwasseensuchajoyfulchild。
\"Seewhatthegoodsaintbrought！\"shecried，Andmotherandfathermustpeepinside。
Nowsuchastorywhoeverheard？
Therewasalittleshiveringbird！
Asparrow，thatinatthewindowflew，HadcreptintoPiccola’stinyshoe！
\"HowgoodpoorPiccolamusthavebeen！\"
Shecried，ashappyasanyqueen，Whilethestarvingsparrowshefedandwarmed，Anddancedwithrapture，shewassocharmed。
Children，thisstoryItelltoyou，OfPiccolasweetandherbird，istrue。
Inthefar—offlandofFrance，theysay，Stilldotheylivetothisveryday。
THELITTLEFIRTREE
[WhenIwasaverylittlegirlsomeone，probablymymother，readtomeHansChristianAndersen’sstoryoftheLittleFirTree。IthappenedthatIdidnotreaditformyselforhearitagainduringmychildhood。OneChristmasday，whenIwasgrownup，Ifoundmyselfatalossforthe\"onemore\"storycalledforbysomelittlechildrenwithwhomIwasspendingtheholiday。
Inthementalsearchforburiedtreasurewhichensued，Icameupononeortwoword—impressionsoftheexperiencesoftheLittleFirTree，andforthwithwovethemintowhatIsupposedtobesomethingofareproductionoftheoriginal。Thelatterpartofthestoryhadwhollyfadedfrommymemory，sothatI\"madeup\"tosuitthetastesofmyaudience。AfterwardItoldthestorytoagoodmanychildren，atonetimeoranother，anditgraduallytooktheshapeithashere。Itwasnotuntilseveralyearslaterthat，inre—readingAndersenforotherpurposes，IcameupontherealstoryoftheLittleFirTree，andreaditformyself。ThenindeedIwasamused，andsomewhatdistressed，tofindhowfarIhadwanderedfromthetext。
IgivethisexplanationthatthereadermayknowIdonotpresumetoofferthelittletalewhichfollowsasan\"adaptation\"
ofAndersen’sfamousstory。Iofferitplainlyasastorywhichchildrenhaveliked，andwhichgrewoutofmyearlymemoriesofAndersen’s\"TheLittleFirTree\"]。
OncetherewasaLittleFirTree，slimandpointed，andshiny，whichstoodinthegreatforestinthemidstofsomebigfirtrees，broad，andtall，andshadowygreen。
TheLittleFirTreewasveryunhappybecausehewasnotbigliketheothers。Whenthebirdscameflyingintothewoodsandlitonthebranchesofthebigtreesandbuilttheirneststhere，heusedtocalluptothem，——
\"Comedown，comedown，restinmybranches！\"Buttheyalwayssaid，——
\"Oh，no，no;youaretoolittle！\"
Andwhenthesplendidwindcameblowingandsingingthroughtheforest，itbentandrockedandswungthetopsofthebigtrees，andmurmuredtothem。ThentheLittleFirTreelookedup，andcalled，——
\"Oh，please，dearwind，comedownandplaywithme！\"Buthealwayssaid，——
\"Oh，no;youaretoolittle，youaretoolittle！\"
Andinthewinterthewhitesnowfellsoftly，softly，andcoveredthegreattreesalloverwithwonderfulcapsandcoatsofwhite。TheLittleFirTree，closedowninthecoveroftheothers，wouldcallup，——
\"Oh，please，dearsnow，givemeacap，too！Iwanttoplay，too！\"Butthesnowalwayssaid，——
\"Ohno，no，no;youaretoolittle，youaretoolittle！\"
Theworstofallwaswhenmencameintothewood，withsledgesandteamsofhorses。Theycametocutthebigtreesdownandcarrythemaway。Andwhenonehadbeencutdownandcarriedawaytheotherstalkedaboutit，andnoddedtheirheads。AndtheLittleFirTreelistened，andheardthemsaythatwhenyouwerecarriedawayso，youmightbecomethemastofamightyship，andgofarawayovertheocean，andseemanywonderfulthings;
oryoumightbepartofafinehouseinagreatcity，andseemuchoflife。TheLittleFirTreewantedgreatlytoseelife，buthewasalwaystoolittle;themenpassedhimby。
Butbyandby，onecoldwinter’smorning，mencamewithasledgeandhorses，andaftertheyhadcuthereandtheretheycametothecircleoftreesroundtheLittleFirTree，andlookedallabout。
\"Therearenonelittleenough，\"theysaid。
Oh！howtheLittleFirTreeprickeduphisneedles！
\"Hereisone，\"saidoneofthemen，\"itisjustlittleenough。\"AndhetouchedtheLittleFirTree。
TheLittleFirTreewashappyasabird，becauseheknewtheywereabouttocuthimdown。Andwhenhewasbeingcarriedawayonthesledgehelaywondering，SOcontentedly，whetherheshouldbethemastofashiporpartofafinecityhouse。
Butwhentheycametothetownhewastakenoutandsetuprightinatubandplacedontheedgeofasidewalkinarowofotherfirtrees，allsmall，butnonesolittleashe。AndthentheLittleFirTreebegantoseelife。
Peoplekeptcomingtolookatthetreesandtotakethemaway。ButalwayswhentheysawtheLittleFirTreetheyshooktheirheadsandsaid，——
\"Itistoolittle，toolittle。\"
Until，finally，twochildrencamealong，handinhand，lookingcarefullyatallthesmalltrees。WhentheysawtheLittleFirTreetheycriedout，——
\"We’lltakethisone;itisjustlittleenough！\"
Theytookhimoutofhistubandcarriedhimaway，betweenthem。AndthehappyLittleFirTreespentallhistimewonderingwhatitcouldbethathewasjustlittleenoughfor;heknewitcouldhardlybeamastorahouse，sincehewasgoingawaywithchildren。
Hekeptwondering，whiletheytookhiminthroughsomebigdoors，andsethimupinanothertub，onthetable，inabarelittleroom。Prettysoontheywentaway，andcamebackagainwithabigbasket，carriedbetweenthem。Thensomeprettyladies，withwhitecapsontheirheadsandwhiteapronsovertheirbluedresses，camebringinglittleparcels。ThechildrentookthingsoutofthebasketandbegantoplaywiththeLittleFirTree，justashehadoftenbeggedthewindandthesnowandthebirdstodo。Hefelttheirsoftlittletouchesonhisheadandhistwigsandhisbranches。
Andwhenhelookeddownathimself，asfarashecouldlook，hesawthathewasallhungwithgoldandsilverchains！Therewerestringsofwhitefluffystuffdroopingaroundhim;histwigsheldlittlegoldnutsandpink，rosyballsandsilverstars;hehadprettylittlepinkandwhitecandlesinhisarms;butlast，andmostwonderfulofall，thechildrenhungabeautifulwhite，floatingdoll—angeloverhishead！TheLittleFirTreecouldnotbreathe，forjoyandwonder。Whatwasitthathewas，now？Whywasthisgloryforhim？
Afteratimeeveryonewentawayandlefthim。Itgrewdusk，andtheLittleFirTreebegantohearstrangesoundsthroughthecloseddoors。Sometimesheheardachildcrying。Hewasbeginningtobelonely。
Itgrewmoreandmoreshadowy。
Allatonce，thedoorsopenedandthetwochildrencamein。Twooftheprettyladieswerewiththem。TheycameuptotheLittleFirTreeandquicklylightedallthelittlepinkandwhitecandles。ThenthetwoprettyladiestookholdofthetablewiththeLittleFirTreeonitandpushedit，verysmoothlyandquickly，outofthedoors，acrossahall，andinatanotherdoor。
TheLittleFirTreehadasuddensightofalongroomwithmanylittlewhitebedsinit，ofchildrenproppeduponpillowsinthebeds，andofotherchildreningreatwheeledchairs，andothershobblingaboutorsittinginlittlechairs。Hewonderedwhyallthelittlechildrenlookedsowhiteandtired;
hedidnotknowthathewasinahospital。
Butbeforehecouldwonderanymorehisbreathwasquitetakenawaybytheshoutthoselittlewhitechildrengave。
\"Oh！oh！m—m！m—m！\"theycried。
\"Howpretty！Howbeautiful！Oh，isn’titlovely！\"
Heknewtheymustmeanhim，foralltheirshiningeyeswerelookingstraightathim。Hestoodasstraightasamast，andquiveredineveryneedle，forjoy。Presentlyonelittleweakchild—voicecalledout，——
\"It’sthenicestChristmastreeIeversaw！\"
Andthen，atlast，theLittleFirTreeknewwhathewas;hewasaChristmastree！Andfromhisshinyheadtohisfeethewasglad，throughandthrough，becausehewasjustlittleenoughtobethenicestkindoftreeintheworld！
HOWMOSESWASSAVED
Thousandsofyearsago，manyyearsbeforeDavidlived，therewasaverywiseandgoodmanofhispeoplewhowasafriendandadviserofthekingofEgypt。
Andforloveofthisfriend，thekingofEgypthadletnumbersoftheIsraelitessettleinhisland。ButafterthekingandhisIsraelitishfriendweredead，therewasanewking，whohatedtheIsraelites。Whenhesawhowstrongtheywere，andhowmanytherewereofthem，hebegantobeafraidthatsomedaytheymightnumbermorethantheEgyptians，andmighttakehislandfromhim。
Thenheandhisrulersdidawickedthing。TheymadetheIsraelitesslaves。
Andtheygavethemterribletaskstodo，withoutproperrest，orfood，orclothes。
FortheyhopedthatthehardshipwouldkillofftheIsraelites。Theythoughttheoldmenwoulddieandtheyoungmenbesoillandwearythattheycouldnotbringupfamilies，andsotheracewouldvanishaway。
Butinspiteoftheworkandsuffering，theIsraelitesremainedstrong，andmoreandmoreboysgrewup，tomakethekingafraid。
Thenhedidthewickedestthingofall。
HeorderedhissoldierstokilleveryboybabythatshouldbeborninanIsraelitishfamily;hedidnotcareaboutthegirls，becausetheycouldnotgrowuptofight。
Verysoonafterthisevilorder，aboybabywasborninacertainIsraelitishfamily。Whenhismotherfirstlookedathimherheartwasnearlybroken，forhewasevenmorebeautifulthanmostbabiesare，——sostrongandfairandsweet。Buthewasaboy！Howcouldshesavehimfromdeath？
Somehow，shecontrivedtokeephimhiddenforthreewholemonths。Butattheendofthattime，shesawthatitwasnotgoingtobepossibletokeephimsafeanylonger。Shehadbeenthinkingallthistimeaboutwhatsheshoulddo，andnowshecarriedoutherplan。
First，shetookabasketmadeofbulrushesanddaubeditalloverwithpitchsothatitwaswater—tight，andthenshelaidthebabyinit;thenshecarriedittotheedgeoftheriverandlaiditintheflagsbytheriver’sbrink。Itdidnotshowatall，unlessonewerequitenearit。Thenshekissedherlittlesonandlefthimthere。
Buthissisterstoodfaroff，notseemingtowatch，butreallywatchingcarefullytoseewhatwouldhappentothebaby。
Soontherewasthesoundoftalkandlaughter，andatrainofbeautifulwomencamedowntothewater’sedge。Itwastheking’sdaughter，comedowntobatheintheriver，withhermaidens。Themaidenswalkedalongbytheriver’sside。
Astheking’sdaughtercameneartothewater，shesawthestrangelittlebasketlyingintheflags，andshesenthermaidtobringittoher。Andwhenshehadopenedit，shesawthechild;thepoorbabywascrying。Whenshesawhim，sohelplessandsobeautiful，cryingforhismother，theking’sdaughterpitiedhimandlovedhim。Sheknewthecruelorderofherfather，andshesaidatonce，\"ThisisoneoftheHebrews’children。\"
Atthatmomentthebaby’ssistercametotheprincessandsaid，\"ShallIgoandfindtheeanursefromtheHebrewwomen，sothatshemaynursethechildforthee？\"
Notaworddidshesayaboutwhosechilditwas，butperhapstheprincessguessed;
Idon’tknow。Atallevents，shetoldthelittlegirltogo。
Sothemaidenwent，andbroughthermother！
Thentheking’sdaughtersaidtothebaby’smother，\"Takethischildawayandnurseitforme，andIwillgivetheewages。\"
Wasnotthatastrangething？Andcanyouthinkhowhappythebaby’smotherwas？Fornowthebabywouldbeknownonlyastheprincess’sadoptedchild，andwouldbesafe。
Anditwasso。Themotherkepthimuntilhewasoldenoughtobetakentotheprincess’spalace。Thenhewasbroughtandgiventotheking’sdaughter，andhebecameherson。AndshenamedhimMoses。
Butthestrangestpartofthewholestoryis，thatwhenMosesgrewtobeamanhebecamesostrongandwisethatitwashewhoatlastsavedhispeoplefromthekingandconqueredtheEgyptians。Theonechildsavedbytheking’sowndaughterwastheveryonethekingwouldmosthavewantedtokill，ifhehadknown。
THETENFAIRIES[1]
[1]AdaptedfromthefactsgivenintheGermanofDieZehn{Feeen？}，byH。A。Guerber。
Onceuponatimetherewasadearlittlegirl，whosenamewasElsa。Elsa’sfatherandmotherworkedveryhardandbecamerich。ButtheylovedElsasomuchthattheydidnotliketohaveherdoanywork;
veryfoolishly，theyletherplayallthetime。SowhenElsagrewup，shedidnotknowhowtodoanything;shecouldnotmakebread，shecouldnotsweeparoom，shecouldnotsewaseam;shecouldonlylaughandsing。Butshewassosweetandmerrythateverybodylovedher。Andbyandby，shemarriedoneofthepeoplewholovedher，andhadahouseofherowntotakecareof。
Then，then，mydears，camehardtimesforElsa！Thereweresomanythingstobedoneinthehouse，andshedidnotknowhowtodoanyofthem！Andbecauseshehadneverworkedatallitmadeherverytiredeventotry;shewastiredbeforethemorningwasover，everyday。Themaidwouldcomeandsay，\"HowshallI
dothis？\"or\"HowshallIdothat？\"
AndElsawouldhavetosay，\"Idon’tknow。\"Thenthemaidwouldpretendthatshedidnotknow，either;andwhenshesawhermistresssittingaboutdoingnothing，she，too，satabout，idle。
Elsa’shusbandhadahardtimeofit;
hedidnothavegoodthingstoeat，andtheywerenotreadyattherighttime，andthehouselookedallinaclutter。Itmadehimsad，andthatmadeElsasad，forshewantedtodoeverythingjustright。
Atlast，oneday，Elsa’shusbandwentawayquitecross;hesaidtoher，ashewentoutthedoor，\"Itisnowonderthatthehouselooksso，whenyousitalldaywithyourhandsinyourlap！\"
LittleElsacriedbitterlywhenhewasgone，forshedidnotwanttomakeherhusbandunhappyandcross，andshewantedthehousetolooknice。\"Oh，dear，\"
shesobbed，\"IwishIcoulddothingsright！IwishIcouldwork！Iwish——I
wishIhadtengoodfairiestoworkforme！
ThenIcouldkeepthehouse！\"
Asshesaidthewords，agreatgraymanstoodbeforeher;hewaswrappedinastrangegraycloakthatcoveredhimfromheadtofoot;andhesmiledatElsa。
\"Whatisthematter，dear？\"hesaid。\"Whydoyoucry？\"
\"Oh，IamcryingbecauseIdonotknowhowtokeepthehouse，\"saidElsa。\"I
cannotmakebread，Icannotsweep，I
cannotsewaseam;whenIwasalittlegirlIneverlearnedtowork，andnowI
cannotdoanythingright。IwishIhadtengoodfairiestohelpme！\"
\"Youshallhavethem，dear，\"saidthegrayman，andheshookhisstrangegraycloak。Pouf！Outhoppedtentinyfairies，nobiggerthanthat！
\"Theseshallbeyourservants，Elsa，\"
saidthegrayman;\"theyarefaithfulandclever，andtheywilldoeverythingyouwantthemto，justright。Buttheneighborsmightstareandaskquestionsiftheysawtheselittlechapsrunningaboutyourhouse，soIwillhidethemawayforyou。Givemeyourlittleuselesshands。\"
Wondering，Elsastretchedoutherpretty，little，whitehands。
\"Nowstretchoutyourlittleuselessfingers，dear！\"
Elsastretchedoutherprettypinkfingers。
Thegraymantouchedeachoneofthetenlittlefingers，andashetouchedthemhesaidtheirnames：\"LittleThumb;Fore—
finger;Thimble—finger;Ring—finger;
LittleFinger;LittleThumb;Forefinger;
Thimble—finger;Ring—finger;LittleFinger！\"
Andashenamedthefingers，oneafteranother，thetinyfairiesbowedtheirtinyheads;therewasafairyforeveryname。
\"Hop！hideyourselvesaway！\"saidthegrayman。
Hop，hop！ThefairiessprangtoElsa’sknee，thentothepalmsofherhands，andthen—whisk！theywereallhiddenawayinherlittlepinkfingers，afairyineveryfinger！Andthegraymanwasgone。
Elsasatandlookedwithwonderatherlittlewhitehandsandthetenuselessfingers。Butsuddenlythelittlefingersbegantostir。Thetinyfairieswhowerehiddenawaythereweren’tusedtostayingstill，andtheyweregettingrestless。
TheystirredsothatElsajumpedupandrantothecookingtable，andtookholdofthebreadboard。Nosoonerhadshetouchedthebreadboardthanthelittlefairiesbegantowork：theymeasuredtheflour，mixedthebread，kneadedtheloaves，andsetthemtorise，quickerthanyoucouldwink;andwhenthebreadwasdone，itwasthenicestyoucouldwish。Thenthelittlefairy—fingersseizedthebroom，andinatwinklingtheyweremakingthehouseclean。Andsoitwent，allday。Elsaflewaboutfromonethingtoanother，andthetenfairiesdiditall，justright。
Whenthemaidsawhermistressworking，shebegantowork，too;andwhenshesawhowbeautifullyeverythingwasdone，shewasashamedtodoanythingbadlyherself。Inalittlewhilethehouseworkwasgoingsmoothly，andElsacouldlaughandsingagain。
Therewasnomorecrossnessinthathouse。Elsa’shusbandgrewsoproudofherthathewentaboutsayingtoeverybody，\"Mygrandmotherwasafinehousekeeper，andmymotherwasafinehousekeeper，butneitherofthemcouldholdacandletomywife。Shehasonlyonemaid，but，toseetheworkdone，youwouldthinkshehadasmanyservantsasshehasfingersonherhands！\"
WhenElsaheardthat，sheusedtolaugh，butshenever，nevertold。
THEELVESANDTHESHOEMAKER
Onceuponatimetherewasanhonestshoemaker，whowasverypoor。Heworkedashardashecould，andstillhecouldnotearnenoughtokeephimselfandhiswife。
Atlasttherecameadaywhenhehadnothingleftbutonepieceofleather，bigenoughtomakeonepairofshoes。Hecutouttheshoes，readytostitch，andleftthemonthebench;thenhesaidhisprayersandwenttobed，trustingthathecouldfinishtheshoesonthenextdayandsellthem。
Brightandearlythenextmorning，heroseandwenttohiswork—bench。Therelayapairofshoes，beautifullymade，andtheleatherwasgone！Therewasnosignofanyone’shavingbeenthere。Theshoemakerandhiswifedidnotknowwhattomakeofit。Butthefirstcustomerwhocamewassopleasedwiththebeautifulshoesthatheboughtthem，andpaidsomuchthattheshoemakerwasabletobuyleatherenoughfortwopairs。
Happily，hecutthemout，andthen，asitwaslate，heleftthepiecesonthebench，readytosewinthemorning。Butwhenmorningcame，twopairsofshoeslayonthebench，mostbeautifullymade，andnosignofanyonewhohadbeenthere。Theshoemakerandhiswifewerequiteataloss。
Thatdayacustomercameandboughtbothpairs，andpaidsomuchforthemthattheshoemakerboughtleatherforfourpairs，withthemoney。
Oncemorehecutouttheshoesandleftthemonthebench。Andinthemorningallfourpairsweremade。
Itwentonlikethisuntiltheshoemakerandhiswifewereprosperouspeople。Buttheycouldnotbesatisfiedtohavesomuchdoneforthemandnotknowtowhomtheyshouldbegrateful。Soonenight，aftertheshoemakerhadleftthepiecesofleatheronthebench，heandhiswifehidthemselvesbehindacurtain，andleftalightintheroom。
Justastheclockstrucktwelvethedooropenedsoftly，andtwotinyelvescamedancingintotheroom，hoppedontothebench，andbegantoputthepiecestogether。Theywerequitenaked，buttheyhadweelittlescissorsandhammersandthread。Tap！tap！wentthelittlehammers;
stitch，stitch，wentthethread，andthelittleelveswerehardatwork。Nooneeverworkedsofastasthey。Inalmostnotimealltheshoeswerestitchedandfinished。Thenthetinyelvestookholdofeachother’shandsanddancedroundtheshoesonthebench，tilltheshoemakerandhiswifehadhardworknottolaughaloud。
Butastheclockstrucktwo，thelittlecreatureswhiskedawayoutofthewindow，andlefttheroomallasitwasbefore。
Theshoemakerandhiswifelookedateachother，andsaid，\"Howcanwethankthelittleelveswhohavemadeushappyandprosperous？\"
\"Ishouldliketomakethemsomeprettyclothes，\"saidthewife，\"theyarequitenaked。\"
\"Iwillmaketheshoesifyouwillmakethecoats，\"saidherhusband。
Thatverydaytheysetaboutit。Thewifecutouttwotiny，tinycoatsofgreen，twoweeny，weenywaistcoatsofyellow，twolittlepairsoftrousers，ofwhite，twobitsofcaps，brightred（foreveryoneknowstheelveslovebrightcolors），andherhusbandmadetwolittlepairsofshoeswithlong，pointedtoes。Theymadetheweeclothesasdaintyascouldbe，withnicelittlestitchesandprettybuttons;andbyChristmastime，theywerefinished。
OnChristmaseve，theshoemakercleanedhisbench，andonit，insteadofleather，helaidthetwosetsofgaylittlefairy—
clothes。Thenheandhiswifehidawayasbefore，towatch。
Promptlyatmidnight，thelittlenakedelvescamein。Theyhoppeduponthebench;butwhentheysawthelittleclothesthere，theylaughedanddancedforjoy。
Eachonecaughtuphislittlecoatandthingsandbegantoputthemon。Thentheylookedateachotherandmadeallkindsoffunnymotionsintheirdelight。
Atlasttheybegantodance，andwhentheclockstrucktwo，theydancedquiteaway，outofthewindow。
Theynevercamebackanymore，butfromthatdaytheygavetheshoemakerandhiswifegoodluck，sothattheyneverneededanymorehelp。
WHOKILLEDTHEOTTER’SBABIES[1]？
[1]AdaptedfromthestoryastoldinFablesandFolkTalesFromanEasternForest，byWalterSkeat。
OncetheOttercametotheMouse—deerandsaid，\"FriendMouse—deer，willyoupleasetakecareofmybabieswhileIgototheriver，tocatchfish？\"
\"Certainly，\"saidtheMouse—deer，\"goalong。\"
ButwhentheOttercamebackfromtheriver，withastringoffish，hefoundhisbabiescrushedflat。
\"Whatdoesthismean，FriendMouse—
deer？\"hesaid。\"Whokilledmychildrenwhileyouweretakingcareofthem？\"
\"Iamverysorry，\"saidtheMouse—deer，\"butyouknowIamChiefDanceroftheWar—dance，andtheWoodpeckercameandsoundedthewar—gong，soIdanced。
Iforgotyourchildren，andtrodonthem。\"
\"IshallgotoKingSolomon，\"saidtheOtter，\"andyoushallbepunished。\"
SoontheMouse—deerwascalledbeforeKingSolomon。
\"DidyoukilltheOtter’sbabies？\"saidtheking。
\"Yes，yourMajesty，\"saidtheMouse—
deer，\"butIdidnotmeanto。\"
\"Howdidithappen？\"saidtheking。
\"YourMajestyknows，\"saidtheMouse—
deer，\"thatIamChiefDanceroftheWar—dance。TheWoodpeckercameandsoundedthewar—gong，andIhadtodance;
andasIdancedItrodontheOtter’schildren。\"
\"SendfortheWoodpecker，\"saidKingSolomon。AndwhentheWoodpeckercame，hesaidtohim，\"Wasityouwhosoundedthewar—gong？\"
\"Yes，yourMajesty，\"saidtheWoodpecker，\"butIhadto。\"
\"Why？\"saidtheking。
\"YourMajestyknows，\"saidtheWoodpecker，\"thatIamChiefBeateroftheWar—gong，andIsoundedthegongbecauseIsawtheGreatLizardwearinghissword。\"
\"SendfortheGreatLizard，\"saidKingSolomon。WhentheGreatLizardcame，heaskedhim，\"Wasityouwhowerewearingyoursword？\"
\"Yes，yourMajesty，\"saidtheGreatLizard;\"butIhadto。\"
\"Why？\"saidtheking。
\"YourMajestyknows，\"saidtheGreatLizard，\"thatIamChiefProtectoroftheSword。IworemyswordbecausetheTortoisecamewearinghiscoatofmail。\"
SotheTortoisewassentfor。
\"Whydidyouwearyourcoatofmail？\"
saidtheking。
\"Iputiton，yourMajesty，\"saidtheTortoise，\"becauseIsawtheKing—crabtrailinghisthree—edgedpike。\"
ThentheKing—crabwassentfor。
\"Whywereyoutrailingyourthree—
edgedpike？\"saidKingSolomon。
\"Because，yourMajesty，\"saidtheKingerab，\"IsawthattheCrayfishhadshoulderedhislance。\"
ImmediatelytheCrayfishwassentfor。
\"Whydidyoushoulderyourlance？\"
saidtheking。
\"Because，yourMajesty，\"saidtheCrayfish，\"IsawtheOttercomingdowntotherivertokillmychildren。\"
\"Oh，\"saidKingSolomon，\"ifthatisthecase，theOtterkilledtheOtter’schildren。
AndtheMouse—deercannotbeheld，bythelawoftheland！\"
EARLY[1]
[1]FromThesingingLeaves，byJosephinePrestonPeabody（Houghton，MifflinandCo。）。
IliketolieandwaittoseeMymotherbraidherhair。
Itisaslongasitcanbe，Andyetshedoesn’tcare。
Ilovemymother’shair。
Andthenthewayherfingersgo;
Theylooksoquickandwhite，——
Inandout，andtoandfro，Andbraidinginthelight，Anditisalwaysright。
Sothenshewindsit，shinybrown，Aroundherheadintoacrown，Justlikethedaybefore。
Andthenshelooksandpatsitdown，Andlooksaminutemore;
WhileIstayhereallstillandcool。
Oh，isn’tmorningbeautiful？
THEBRAHMIN，THETIGER，ANDTHEJACKAL
DoyouknowwhataBrahminis？A
BrahminisaverygoodandgentlekindofmanwholivesinIndia，andwhotreatsallthebeastsasiftheywerehisbrothers。
ThereisagreatdealmoretoknowaboutBrahmins，butthatisenoughforthestory。
OnedayaBrahminwaswalkingalongacountryroadwhenhecameuponaTiger，shutupinastrongironcage。Thevillagershadcaughthimandshuthimupthereforhiswickedness。
\"Oh，BrotherBrahmin，BrotherBrahmin，\"
saidtheTiger，\"pleaseletmeout，togetalittledrink！Iamsothirsty，andthereisnowaterhere。\"
\"ButBrotherTiger，\"saidtheBrahmin，\"youknowifIshouldletyouout，youwouldspringonmeandeatmeup。\"
\"Never，BrotherBrahmin！\"saidtheTiger。\"NeverintheworldwouldIdosuchanungratefulthing！Justletmeoutalittleminute，togetalittle，littledrinkofwater，BrotherBrahmin！\"
SotheBrahminunlockedthedoorandlettheTigerout。ThemomenthewasouthesprangontheBrahmin，andwasabouttoeathimup。
\"But，BrotherTiger，\"saidtheBrahmin，\"youpromisedyouwouldnot。Itisnotfairorjustthatyoushouldeatme，whenIsetyoufree。\"
\"Itisperfectlyrightandjust，\"saidtheTiger，\"andIshalleatyouup。\"
However，theBrahminarguedsohardthatatlasttheTigeragreedtowaitandaskthefirstfivewhomtheyshouldmeet，whetheritwasfairforhimtoeattheBrahmin，andtoabidebytheirdecision。
Thefirstthingtheycameto，toask，wasanoldBanyanTree，bythewayside。
（Abanyantreeisakindoffruittree。）
\"BrotherBanyan，\"saidtheBrahmin，eagerly，\"doesitseemtoyourightorjustthatthisTigershouldeatme，whenIsethimfreefromhiscage？\"
TheBanyanTreelookeddownatthemandspokeinatiredvoice。
\"Inthesummer，\"hesaid，\"whenthesunishot，mencomeandsitinthecoolofmyshadeandrefreshthemselveswiththefruitofmybranches。Butwheneveningfalls，andtheyarerested，theybreakmytwigsandscattermyleaves，andstonemyboughsformorefruit。Menareanungratefulrace。LettheTigereattheBrahmin。\"
TheTigersprangtoeattheBrahmin，buttheBrahminsaid，——
\"Wait，wait;wehaveaskedonlyone。
Wehavestillfourtoask。\"
PresentlytheycametoaplacewhereanoldBullockwaslyingbytheroad。TheBrahminwentuptohimandsaid，——
\"BrotherBullock，oh，BrotherBullock，doesitseemtoyouafairthingthatthisTigershouldeatmeup，afterIhavejustfreedhimfromacage？\"
TheBullocklookedup，andansweredinadeep，grumblingvoice，——
\"WhenIwasyoungandstrongmymasterusedmehard，andIservedhimwell。Icarriedheavyloadsandcarriedthemfar。NowthatIamoldandweakandcannotwork，heleavesmewithoutfoodorwater，todiebythewayside。Menareathanklesslot。LettheTigereattheBrahmin。\"
TheTigersprang，buttheBrahminspokeveryquickly：——
\"Oh，butthisisonlythesecond，BrotherTiger;youpromisedtoaskfive。\"
TheTigergrumbledagooddeal，butatlasthewentonagainwiththeBrahmin。
AndafteratimetheysawanEagle，highoverhead。TheBrahmincalleduptohimimploringly，——
\"Oh，BrotherEagle，BrotherEagle！
TellusifitseemstoyoufairthatthisTigershouldeatmeup，whenIhavejustsavedhimfromafrightfulcage？\"
TheEaglesoaredslowlyoverheadamoment，thenhecamelower，andspokeinathin，clearvoice。
\"Ilivehighintheair，\"hesaid，\"andI
donomananyharm。Yetasoftenastheyfindmyeyrie，menstonemyyoungandrobmynestandshootatmewitharrows。
Menareacruelbreed。LettheTigereattheBrahmin！\"
TheTigersprangupontheBrahmin，toeathimup;andthistimetheBrahminhadveryhardworktopersuadehimtowait。Atlasthedidpersuadehim，however，andtheywalkedontogether。AndinalittlewhiletheysawanoldAlligator，lyinghalfburiedinmudandslime，attheriver’sedge。
\"BrotherAlligator，oh，BrotherAlligator！\"
saidtheBrahmin，\"doesitseematallrightorfairtoyouthatthisTigershouldeatmeup，whenIhavejustnowlethimoutofacage？\"
TheoldAlligatorturnedinthemud，andgrunted，andsnorted;thenhesaid，\"Iliehereinthemudallday，asharmlessasapigeon;Ihuntnoman，yeteverytimeamanseesme，hethrowsstonesatme，andpokesmewithsharpsticks，andjeersatme。Menareaworthlesslot。LettheTigereattheBrahmin！\"
AtthistheTigerwasboundtoeattheBrahminatonce。ThepoorBrahminhadtoremindhim，againandagain，thattheyhadaskedonlyfour。
\"Waittillwe’veaskedonemore！Waituntilweseeafifth！\"hebegged。
Finally，theTigerwalkedonwithhim。
Afteratime，theymetthelittleJackal，cominggaylydowntheroadtowardthem。
\"Oh，BrotherJackal，dearBrotherJackal，\"saidtheBrahmin，\"giveusyouropinion！DoyouthinkitrightorfairthatthisTigershouldeatme，whenIsethimfreefromaterriblecage？\"
\"Begpardon？\"saidthelittleJackal。
\"Isaid，\"saidtheBrahmin，raisinghisvoice，\"doyouthinkitisfairthattheTigershouldeatme，whenIsethimfreefromhiscage？\"
\"Cage？\"saidthelittleJackal，vacantly。
\"Yes，yes，hiscage，\"saidtheBrahmin。
\"Wewantyouropinion。Doyouthink——\"
\"Oh，\"saidthelittleJackal，\"youwantmyopinion？ThenmayIbegyoutospeakalittlemoreloudly，andmakethematterquiteclear？Iamalittleslowofunderstanding。Nowwhatwasit？\"
\"Doyouthink，\"saidtheBrahmin，\"itisrightforthisTigertoeatme，whenI
sethimfreefromhiscage？\"
\"Whatcage？\"saidthelittleJackal。
\"Why，thecagehewasin，\"saidtheBrahmin。\"Yousee——\"
\"ButIdon’taltogetherunderstand，\"
saidthelittleJackal，\"You`sethimfree，’
yousay？\"
\"Yes，yes，yes！\"saidtheBrahmin。
\"Itwasthisway：Iwaswalkingalong，andIsawtheTiger——\"
\"Oh，dear，dear！\"interruptedthelittleJackal;\"Inevercanseethroughit，ifyougoonlikethat，withalongstory。Ifyoureallywantmyopinionyoumustmakethematterclear。Whatsortofcagewasit？\"
\"Why，abig，ordinarycage，anironcage，\"saidtheBrahmin。
\"Thatgivesmenoideaatall，\"saidthelittleJackal。\"Seehere，myfriends，ifwearetogetonwiththismatteryou’dbestshowmethespot。ThenIcanunderstandinajiffy。Showmethecage。\"
SotheBrahmin，theTiger，andthelittleJackalwalkedbacktogethertothespotwherethecagewas。
\"Now，letusunderstandthesituation，\"
saidthelittleJackal。\"Brahmin，wherewereyou？\"
\"Istoodherebytheroadside，\"saidtheBrahmin。
\"Tiger，wherewereyou？\"saidthelittleJackal。
\"Why，inthecage，ofcourse，\"roaredtheTiger。
\"Oh，Ibegyourpardon，FatherTiger，\"
saidthelittleJackal，\"IreallyamSOstupid;
IcannotQUITEunderstandwhathappened。
Ifyouwillhavealittlepatience，——HOW
wereyouinthecage？Whatpositionwereyouin？\"
\"Istoodhere，\"saidtheTiger，leapingintothecage，\"withmyheadovermyshoulder，so。\"
\"Oh，thankyou，thankyou，\"saidthelittleJackal，\"thatmakesitMUCHclearer;
butIstilldon’tQUITEunderstand——forgivemyslowmind——whydidyounotcomeout，byyourself？\"
\"Can’tyouseethatthedoorshutmein？\"saidtheTiger。
\"Oh，Idobegyourpardon，\"saidthelittleJackal。\"IknowIamveryslow;I
canneverunderstandthingswellunlessI
seejusthowtheywereifyoucouldshowmenowexactlyhowthatdoorworksIamsureIcouldunderstand。Howdoesitshut？\"
\"Itshutslikethis，\"saidtheBrahmin，pushingitto。
\"Yes;butIdon’tseeanylock，\"saidthelittleJackal，\"doesitlockontheoutside？\"
\"Itlockslikethis，\"saidtheBrahmin。
Andheshutandboltedthedoor！
\"Oh，doesit，indeed？\"saidthelittleJackal。\"Doesit，INDEED！Well，BrotherBrahmin，nowthatitislocked，Ishouldadviseyoutoletitstaylocked！Asforyou，myfriend，\"hesaidtotheTiger，\"I
thinkyouwillwaitagoodwhilebeforeyou’llfindanyonetoletyououtagain！
ThenhemadeaverylowbowtotheBrahmin。
\"Good—by，Brother，\"hesaid。\"Yourwayliesthatway，andmineliesthis;
good—by！\"
THELITTLEJACKALANDTHECAMEL
AllthesestoriesaboutthelittleJackalthatIhavetoldyou，showhowcleverthelittleJackalwas。Butyouknow——ifyoudon’t，youwillwhenyouaregrownup——
thatnomatterhowcleveryouare，soonerorlateryousurelymeetsomeonewhoiscleverer。Itisalwayssoinlife。AnditwassowiththelittleJackal。Thisiswhathappened。
ThelittleJackalwas，asyouknow，exceedinglyfondofshell—fish，especiallyofrivercrabs。Nowtherecameatimewhenhehadeatenallthecrabstobefoundonhisownsideoftheriver。Heknewtheremustbeplentyontheotherside，ifhecouldonlygettothem，buthecouldnotswim。
Onedayhethoughtofaplan。HewenttohisfriendtheCamel，andsaid，——
\"FriendCamel，Iknowaspotwherethesugar—canegrowsthick;I’llshowyoutheway，ifyouwilltakemethere。\"
\"IndeedIwill，\"saidtheCamel，whowasveryfondofsugar—cane。\"Whereisit？\"
\"Itisontheothersideoftheriver，\"
saidthelittleJackal;\"butwecanmanageitnicely，ifyouwilltakemeonyourbackandswimover。\"
TheCamelwasperfectlywilling，sothelittleJackaljumpedonhisback，andtheCamelswamacrosstheriver，carryinghim。
Whentheyweresafelyover，thelittleJackaljumpeddownandshowedtheCamelthesugar—canefield;thenheranswiftlyalongtheriverbank，tohuntforcrabs;
theCamelbegantoeatsugar—cane。Heatehappily，andnoticednothingaroundhim。
Now，youknow，aCamelisverybig，andaJackalisverylittle。Consequently，thelittleJackalhadeatenhisfillbythetimetheCamelhadbarelytakenamouthful。
ThelittleJackalhadnomindtowaitforhisslowfriend;hewantedtobeoffhomeagain，abouthisbusiness。Soheranroundandroundthesugar—canefield，andasheranhesangandshouted，andmadeagreathullabaloo。
Ofcourse，thevillagersheardhimatonce。
\"ThereisaJackalinthesugar—cane，\"
theysaid;\"hewilldigholesanddestroytheroots;wemustgodownanddrivehimout。\"Sotheycamedown，withsticksandstones。Whentheygotthere，therewasnoJackaltobeseen;buttheysawthegreatCamel，eatingawayatthejuicysugar—
cane。Theyranathimandbeathim，andstonedhim，anddrovehimawayhalfdead。
Whentheyhadgone，leavingthepoorCamelhalfkilled，thelittleJackalcamedancingbackfromsomewhereorother。
\"Ithinkit’stimetogohome，now，\"hesaid;\"don’tyou？\"
\"Well，youAREaprettyfriend！\"saidtheCamel。\"Theideaofyourmakingsuchanoise，withyourshoutingandsinging！
Youbroughtthisuponme。Whatintheworldmadeyoudoit？Whydidyoushoutandsing？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowWHY，\"saidthelittleJackal，——\"Ialwayssingafterdinner！\"
\"So？\"saidtheCamel，\"Ah，verywell，letusgohomenow。\"
HetookthelittleJackalkindlyonhisbackandstartedintothewater。Whenhebegantoswimheswamouttowheretheriverwastheverydeepest。Therehestopped，andsaid，——
\"Oh，Jackal！\"
\"Yes，\"saidthelittleJackal。
\"Ihavethestrangestfeeling，\"saidtheCamel，——\"IfeelasifImustrollover。\"
\"`Rollover’！\"criedtheJackal。\"Mygoodness，don’tdothat！Ifyoudothat，you’lldrownme！Whatintheworldmakesyouwanttodosuchacrazything？Whyshouldyouwanttorollover？\"
\"Oh，Idon’tknowWHY，\"saidtheCamelslowly，\"butIalwaysrolloverafterdinner！\"
Soherolledover。
AndthelittleJackalwasdrowned，forhissins，buttheCamelcamesafelyhome。
THEGULLSOFSALTLAKE
ThestoryIamgoingtotellyouisaboutsomethingthatreallyhappened，manyyearsago，whenmostofthemothersandfathersofthechildrenherewerenotborn，themselves。Atthattime，nearlyallthepeopleintheUnitedStateslivedbetweentheAtlanticOceanandtheMississippiRiver。Beyondwereplains，reachingtothefootofthemightyRockyMountains，whereIndiansandwildbeastsroamed。Theonlywhitementherewereafewhuntersandtrappers。
Oneyearabravelittlecompanyofpeopletraveledacrosstheplainsinbigcoveredwagonswithmanyhorses，andfinallysucceededinclimbingtothetopofthegreatRockiesanddownagainintoavalleyintheverymidstofthemountains。Itwasavalleyofbrown，bare，desertsoil，inaclimatewherealmostnorainfalls;
butthesnowsonthemountain—topssentdownlittlestreamsofpurewater，thewindsweregentle，andlyinglikeabluejewelatthefootofthewesternhillswasamarvelouslakeofsaltwater，——aninlandsea。