Produced by Al Haines
A KINDERGARTEN STORY BOOK
By JANE L. HOXIE
TENTH EDITION
PUBLISHED BY
MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
NEW YORK BOSTON PHILADELPHIA
ATLANTA SAN FRANCISCO
1916
COPYRIGHT, 1966
BY MILTON BRADLEY COMPANY
SPRINGFIELD, MASS.
TO MY FATHER
whose evening story-hour is the happiest memory of my childhood this little volume is affectionately inscribed
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
A number of the stories in this little book have been told to thousands of children in the kindergartens of Boston, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, Washington, Baltimore, Pittsburg, and other cities. The delight with which they have everywhere been listened to is an assurance of their appeal to child thought and sympathy. I know no equally simple, varied, and interesting collection of stories for children between the ages of four and six; and I earnestly hope that A KINDERGARTEN STORY BOOK may rapidly win the popularity it merits.
SUSAN E. BLOW.
PREFACE.
It is the author's aim in this collection to furnish stories for the child that shall be short, simple in form and familiar in subject, that shall contain much repetition, rhythm, dramatic possibility, alliteration, and also onomatopoetical and imaginative qualities, all of which the young child craves in the literature which is presented to him. The writer has striven to avoid elaborate introductions, long and intricate descriptions, and all those characteristics from which the child instinctively turns.
The matter here presented naturally falls under three heads: first, original stories; secondly, favorite childhood stories rewritten; thirdly, adaptations of popular tales.
Nearly all of the purely original stories are based upon some of the more vital motifs to be found in the best of our fairy lore.
Of the favorite childhood stories, "Billy Bobtail" is evidently founded upon "The Bremen Town-Musicians"; and, as it is given here, it is an adaptation of a story heard frequently during the writer's childhood. It will readily be seen that "Kid Would Not Go" is only another form of "The Old Woman and Her Pig," and that "Fox Lox" is identical with the tale of "Chicken Little." "The Wee, Wee Woman" is supposedly an adaptation of the old English story of "Teeny Weeny." It is given here in the form in which it was told to the author by a friend. "The Little Long Tail" will be recognized by many as a prime favorite of their early childhood.
In the three stories from Grimm it has been the aim to simplify, to shorten, and to eliminate all objectionable qualities; as, for instance, the cruel step-mother element to be found in the original Cinderella.
The two stories from Mrs. Ewing and the adaptation of Saintine's "Picciola" have proved fascinating to the childish audiences to which they have been presented.
Simplicity of form and language makes it possible for the teacher not only to tell the stories contained in this collection, but also to read them to the children, with good effect. Some of the tales, notably the favorite childhood stories rewritten, may be placed in the hands of the children themselves, to be used in the primary grades as supplementary reading material.
This little volume is the result of several years of practical experience, and it is hoped that it will prove a valuable addition to the story repertoire of kindergartners and primary teachers.
J.L.H.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ORIGINAL STORIES.
DUNNY
LUDWIG AND MARLEEN
FROGGY'S ADVENTURE
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD TO GRANDFATHER GOODFIELD'S
THE LOST COMB
THE TOPSY STORIES—
I. The Coming of Topsy
II. How Topsy Kept Warm
III. How Topsy Mothered Her Neighbor's Kittens
IV. Topsy's Hiding Place
V. Topsy's Babies
ETHEL'S FRIENDS
REWRITTEN STORIES
BILLY BOBTAIL KID WOULD NOT GO FOX LOX THE WEE, WEE WOMAN THE LITTLE LONG TAIL
ADAPTED STORIES
THE BROWNIES THE FAIRY SHOES PICCIOLA CINDERELLA THE HUT IN THE FOREST THE SLEEPING PRINCESS
DUNNY.
Once there were three children, three brothers, who played together in the sunshine about their father's door. Now the youngest of them all was not as large and strong as his brothers; and for that reason they often teased him, saying: "You are not as tall as we. You cannot run as fast. See! we can jump farther and swing higher than you." If ever they wrestled together, the youngest was the first to be thrown to the ground; and no matter what he tried to do, the others always laughed, and called out: "Oh! you are so stupid. That is not the way. Let me show you how, you dunny!" So after a while they called him nothing but Dunny.
One day a traveler, with a wonderful pony, stopped at the door of the cottage. His little animal not only could perform all manner of curious tricks, but he was the most gentle little beast in the whole world and, withal, as sleek and pretty a creature as one could wish to see.
The three brothers were wild with delight at the pony's antics, and gave their father no peace until at last he consented to buy the little animal. At first they were very happy with their new play-fellow, but soon they quarreled.
"He is my pony!" said the eldest.
"He is not!" said Dunny.
"Father bought him for me,", said the second brother, "and neither of you shall play with him at all!"
"It is not so! He is all mine!" said the first, as he caught the little beast by the rein and tried to drag him away.
But his brother snatched the bridle also. "You shall not have him!" he cried.
"Boys! boys! What does this mean?" said their father. "Why are you quarreling? The pony belongs to all three."
But the boys would not have it so; and, at last, the father said: "He shall be given to the one of you who will bring this basket to me filled full with the water of yonder pond." Now the basket was very old and full of holes, but the three brothers eagerly consented to the plan.
"You shall be the first to try your luck," said the father, placing the basket in the hands of his eldest son. As the boy walked quickly toward the pond, a little bird hopped along the path in front of him, and in a sweet voice sang:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,[*]
And carry a basketful away."
[*]From an old folk tale.
The boy did not know what the bird was saying. "Out of my path, you stupid creature!" he cried, flinging a stone at it. But the little bird flew away into the forest, where he was quite safe. When at last the boy reached the pond, there sat a great green frog who croaked in a great hoarse voice:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And carry a basketful away."
But the boy did not know what the frog was saying. "Out of my way, you ugly creature!" he cried, flinging a stone at it. The great frog jumped back into the water, where he was quite safe. The eldest boy covered the bottom of the basket with sand, thinking that that would keep the water from running out; then he filled it to the very brim. But, though he ran all the way home, not a single drop of water was left inside the basket when he reached his father.
Then it was the second son's turn. As he walked quickly toward the pond, the same little bird hopped along the path in front of him, and in the same sweet voice sang:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And carry a basketful away."
The boy did not know what the bird was saying. "Out of my path, you stupid creature!" he cried, flinging a stone at it. But the little bird flew away into the forest, where he was quite safe. When at last the boy reached the pond, there sat the same great green frog who croaked in the same great hoarse voice:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And carry a basketful away."
But the boy did not know what the frog was saying. "Out of my way, you ugly creature!" he cried, flinging a stone at it. The great frog jumped back into the water, where he was quite safe. The second boy covered the bottom of the basket with leaves, thinking that they would keep the water from running out; then he filled it to the very brim. But, though he too ran all the way home, not a single drop of water was left inside the basket when he reached his father.
Now, at last, it was Dunny's turn; but the two elder brothers teased him, saying, "Of what use is it for such a stupid as you to try, when we, who are so much more clever than you, have failed?"
As Dunny walked quickly toward the pond, the same little bird hopped along the path in front of him, and in the same sweet voice sang:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And carry a basketful away."
Now Dunny was very fond of all the wild creatures of the woods and fields, and often spent long hours in their company; and he knew what the little bird was saying. And he was never happier than when playing with the frogs and fishes in the pond; so when the great green frog, in his great hoarse voice, croaked:—
"Fill it with moss and fill it with clay,
And carry a basketful away."
Dunny knew what he was saying, and, gathering moss and clay from the bank of the pond, he carefully stopped all the holes and cracks in the basket. Then filling it with water to the very brim, he carried it safely home to his father and did not lose even a single drop. So the pony was given to him, and his brothers never called him Dunny again.
LUDWIG AND MARLEEN.
"Help me out! Help me out, little Ludwig!" cried a great red fox, caught fast in a trap in the woods. "Help me out, and it shall be well with you!" Now Ludwig loved the wild creatures of the forest; he was their friend and playmate, their sorrows were his own; so, stepping to the trap, he pressed the spring, and the fox was free. When, however, the poor beast tried to limp away, so great was the pain in his foot that he was forced to lie down instead. Seeing this, Ludwig ran to a spring near by and, dipping his handkerchief into the clear cool water, tenderly bound up the bruised and swollen foot.
"You have been very kind, my little friend," said the fox. "You have saved my life. If you have a wish, tell me what it is and it shall be granted."
"Oh, as to that," said Ludwig, "I wish my little pail here were full of berries, for my sister and I are very hungry." Hardly had he spoken when his pail, which before had been quite empty, became full to the very brim with great delicious strawberries. Ludwig ran swiftly home to the little brown hut where he and his sister lived quite alone on the edge of the forest.
"See, sister dear," he called, "what a fine breakfast I have brought."
"I am glad, brother," said Marleen, "for I am very hungry; but where did you find so many berries in so short a time, and such delicious ones, too?"
Then Ludwig told his sister all about the fox, and how he had wished for the berries.
"Was I not wise, dear sister, to get such a good breakfast for us with so little trouble?"
But Marleen was not satisfied, and cried:
"Foolish boy! It was no ordinary fox whose foot you pulled out of the trap. If he could fill your pail with berries, just for the asking, he could do far greater things. You should have wished for something better. Go back into the forest, find the fox, and tell him that our cupboard must be always full of food whenever we are hungry."
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are. When we are again hungry I will go and find food in the forest as I have always done before."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen. "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the pail of berries," said
Ludwig.
"What would she, little brother?"
"That our cupboard should be always full whenever we are hungry."
"Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes," said the fox.
Now, after this, whenever brother or sister were hungry, they found plenty of food just to their liking in the cupboard; and, as Ludwig had no longer to seek for nuts and berries in the forest, he could play all day long with his sister, and they were very happy because they were never separated. But after a time Marleen refused to play, and sat moping on the doorstone. "Why are you so troubled, sister? Come, let us play in the sunshine," said the boy.
"Why should I be happy?" said Marleen. "Why should I play? We have no toys, only ugly sticks and stones for playthings. If you will go to the fox and get a beautiful doll, then I will play."
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen. "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the food always in the cupboard."
"What would she, little brother?"
"She would have a beautiful doll all dressed in shining silk."
"Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes," said the fox.
Now Marleen was quite happy for a few days; but soon she grew tired of the doll and again refused to play. "I, too, must have a fine silk dress to wear," said she. "Go to the fox, brother, and get it for me."
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are. Your dress is warm and fine enough."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen. "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the doll."
"What would she, little brother?"
"She would have for herself a dress of shining silk."
"Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes," said the fox.
But only for a time was Marleen content with the beautiful dress. "I will stay no longer in this smoky old hut," said she. "Go, brother, and ask the fox for a fine house to live in. He can give us one if he will."
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen, "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the dress," said Ludwig.
"What would she, little brother?"
"A fine house in place of our poor old hut."
"Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes," said the fox.
Soon Marleen wearied also of the stately house in which they now lived. "I am tired to death of this old doll and this empty house and this poor dress," she said. "I must have something to amuse me. Go, brother, to the fox and tell him that I must have one of every kind of toy in the whole world, and quickly, too."
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen. "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the house."
"What would she, little brother?"
"One of every kind of toy in the whole world."
"Go, little brother, it shall be as she wishes," said the fox.
Now there were so many of the toys that they filled the whole house, and it took days and days just to look at them. At last, however, Marleen had seen and touched every one, and she cried:
"These things are dull and stupid. I must have something to amuse me. Go, brother, and tell the fox that these toys are all ugly and useless; but that there is one thing that I would like above all else, one thing that would make me quite happy. Tell him I must have the great silvery ball that hangs at night above us in the sky,"
"Be satisfied, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are."
"No, no, I will not be satisfied!" said Marleen. "You must do as I tell you;" and she gave her brother no peace until he went again into the forest.
"How now, little brother!" said the fox, when he saw Ludwig coming toward him through the trees; "is it not well with you?"
"Alas, my sister is not satisfied with the toys."
"What would she, little brother?"
"That the great silvery moon that hangs high in the heavens at night should be her plaything."
Very slowly the fox answered:—
"Go, little brother, it shall NOT be as she wishes."
Now when Ludwig reached home once more, in place of the stately house, there stood their little old hut again. Marleen sat weeping in the doorway, her fine silk dress was gone, her beautiful doll was nowhere to be seen, all the lovely toys had vanished.
"Do not cry, dear sister," said Ludwig. "We are quite happy as we are. Come, let us have supper, for I am very hungry." But alas, when they went to the cupboard it was quite empty; and ever afterwards, when they were hungry, Ludwig and Marleen were forced to seek for nuts and berries in the forest. The great silvery moon still looked down upon their little hut at night; but though Ludwig sought through the whole forest, far and wide, he never saw his friend the fox again.
FROGGY'S ADVENTURE.
"Knee-deep! Knee-deep! Knee-deep!" came a shrill cry from the middle of the pond.
"Better-go-round! Better-go-round! Better-go-round!" croaked a hoarse voice from the bank.
Now all the little frogs, when they heard their mother call, turned back, and, swimming far around the deep place, got safely to the shore.
Did I say all? No, one little frog failed to hear his mother's voice and, piping in his little shrill tone: "Who's afraid! Who's afraid! Who's afraid!" he swam straight on. Suddenly one of his hind legs got tangled among the weeds at the bottom of the pond; and, though he pulled and jerked with all his little might, he could not free himself. At last, after a long struggle, he gave it up and called loudly: "Help-me-out! Help-me-out! Help-me-out!"
The other frogs heard and came swimming all about,—little and big, young and old; but when they saw poor Froggy caught fast, instead of trying to free him, they began peeping and croaking and "kerchugging," until such a noise went up from the pond as was never heard before.
The little frogs all sat around in a little circle, crying in their little shrill voices: "Oh-he'll-die! Oh-he'll-die! Oh-he'll-die!"
And the great frogs all sat around in a great circle, croaking in their great hoarse voices: "Oh-he'll-drown! Oh-he'll-drown! Oh-he'll-drown!"
"Help! Help! Help!" shrieked the little frogs in their little shrill voices.
"Help! Help! Help!" croaked the great frogs in their great hoarse voices.
The little frogs sobbed and moaned, and wiped the tears from their little bulgy eyes with their little, flat, green hands; the great frogs sobbed and moaned, and wiped the tears from their great bulgy eyes with their great, flat, green hands. Altogether they raised such a noise and commotion that every creature in the pond poked his nose from his house and came out to see what could be the matter.
At last a great, friendly fish, who, with his wife and children, was summering in a quiet corner of the pond, swam up to find what all the noise was about. When he saw poor Froggy struggling to free himself (feebly now, for his strength was nearly gone) with all his friends and relations sitting by, sobbing and moaning and croaking, but not trying to help him out at all, the fish flew into a terrible rage, and, lashing the water all around into a white foam with his great tail, he cried:
"Pull him out! Pull him out!"
But the little frogs only wiped the tears from their little bulgy eyes with their little, flat, green hands and went on with their piping: "Oh-he'll-die! Oh-he'll-die! Oh-he'll-die!"
The great frogs only wiped the tears from their great bulgy eyes with their great, flat, green hands and went on with their croaking: "Oh-he'll-drown! Oh-he'll-drown! Oh-he'll-drown!"
"You stupids!" cried the great fish; and, pushing the little frogs and the big frogs all to the right and left with his huge body, he swam to little drowning Froggy, seized the poor little fellow in his big mouth and carried him safely to his home by the shore. There the great fish left Froggy, to be cuddled by his silly brothers and to be crooned over by his good but stupid mother.
WHAT HAPPENED ON THE ROAD TO GRANDFATHER GOODFIELD'S.
"Oh, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder," said Alice, as she trudged along the dusty road, a bright tin pail held tightly in her hand. "Why do you wonder, little maid?" said a deep, deep voice. On looking up, Alice saw close beside her a great tawny lion. At first she was afraid, but the great beast looking kindly upon her, placed his great paw softly on her arm and once more said, "why do you wonder, Alice?"
"Ah!" cried the girl crossly, "I wonder what is in this pail. Mamma has promised me a pretty red sash if I do but carry it safely to Grandfather Goodfield, who lives under the hill by the great dark forest yonder, but oh! it has grown so heavy, and my feet have grown so tired. I must go quickly and I must not even peep inside. Just listen! such a funny noise." Alice held the pail close to the great lion's ear,—"Buzz z z z z z z" came a muffled sound. "Oh, I wonder what can be inside!" she said.
"Do not wonder, little maid," said the great lion, "but hurry thy little feet as thy mother hath bidden thee, else the sun will be in his bed ere thy journey be ended, and thy little bed will be empty and thy mother's heart will be heavy with watching."
So Alice hastened on. Soon again her little feet were lagging; and once more her eyes turned curiously upon the pail she carried and again she said, "Oh, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder." "Why do you wonder, little maid?" said a deep, gruff voice. On looking up once more Alice saw close beside her, not her friend the tawny lion, but a shaggy black bear. At first she was afraid; but the great beast, looking kindly upon her, placed his great paw softly on her arm and once more said, "Why do you wonder, Alice?"
"Ah!" cried the girl crossly, "I wonder what is in this pail. Mamma has promised me a pretty red sash if I do but carry it safely to Grandfather Goodfield, who lives under the hill by the great dark forest yonder, but oh! it has grown so heavy, and my feet have grown so tired. I must go quickly, and I must not even peep inside. Just listen! such a funny noise." Alice held the pail close to the great bear's ear,—"Buzz z z z z z z z" came a muffled sound. "Oh, I wonder what can be inside!" she said.
"Do not wonder, little maid," said the great bear, "but hurry thy little feet as thy mother hath bidden thee, else the sun will be in his bed ere thy journey be ended, and thy little bed will be empty and thy mother's heart will be heavy with watching."
So Alice hastened on. Soon again her feet were lagging and once more her eyes turned curiously upon the pail she carried and again she said, "Oh, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder." "Why do you wonder, little maid?" said a harsh strong voice. On looking up, Alice saw close beside her, not her friend the shaggy bear, but a gaunt gray wolf. At first she was afraid, but the great beast, looking kindly upon her, placed his great paw softly on her arm and once more said, "Why do you wonder, Alice?"
"Ah!" cried the girl crossly, "I wonder what is in this pail. Mamma has promised me a pretty red sash if I do but carry it safely to Grandfather Goodfield, who lives under the hill by the great dark forest yonder, but oh! it has grown so heavy and my feet have grown so tired. I must go quickly and I must not even peep inside. Just listen! such a funny noise." Alice held the pail close to the great wolf's ear,—"Buzz z z z z z z z" came a muffled sound. "Oh, I wonder what can be inside!" she said.
"Do not wonder, little maid," said the great wolf, "but hurry thy little feet as thy mother hath bidden thee, else the sun will be in his bed ere thy journey be ended, and thy little bed will be empty and thy mother's heart will be heavy with watching."
So Alice hastened on. Soon again her feet were lagging and once more her eyes turned curiously upon the pail she carried and again she said, "Oh, I wonder, I wonder, I wonder." "Why do you wonder, little maid?" said a sweet soft voice. On looking up, Alice saw close beside her, not her friend the gaunt gray wolf, but a little child like herself. The boy placed his hand softly upon her arm; and with his great dark eyes looking straight into her own he said, "Why do you wonder, Alice?"
"Ah!" cried the girl crossly, "I wonder what is in this pail. Mamma has promised me a pretty red sash if I do but carry it safely to Grandfather Goodfield, who lives under the hill by the great dark forest yonder, but oh! it has grown so heavy and my feet have grown so tired. I must go quickly and I must not even peep inside. Just listen! such a funny noise." Alice held the pail close to the boy's ear,—"Buzz-z z z z z z z" came a muffled sound. "Oh, I wonder what can be inside!" she said.
"Do not wonder but let us look and see," said the boy. "No! no!" cried Alice. "My mother has forbidden it." "She will never know," said the boy. "Only one little peep. Surely it can do no harm. See, I will raise the cover for you." "No! no!" said Alice and, tightly clasping the pail, she started again upon her journey.
"You are so tired," called the boy running after, "do but stop and rest awhile. See, your feet are really bleeding from the sharp stones you have traveled over. Look, what a soft green bank yonder under the shade of that great tree. Do but sit down upon it for a moment. You will be able to go on all the faster after a quiet rest, then I will go with you."
Now Alice was really very tired indeed; and the bank with its cool shade looked so tempting that at last she seated herself upon it, letting her feet sink deep into its mossy side. She clasped the precious pail tightly in her hands, but the noise inside grew louder, and now it had an angry sound. "Oh, I wonder what it can be!" said Alice.
"Do let me take the pail for a moment," said the boy drawing it gently from her hand. "Now I will peep inside. What harm can it do? See, I will lift the cover ever so gently." He put his eye to the crack, when suddenly the cover slipped from his hand and rolled away upon the bank. A great swarm of angry, buzzing creatures flew into his face. He struck at them with his hands, but it was of no use. They stung and stung him. "Alice! Alice!" he cried, "oh, I am stung! I am stung!" The girl sprang quickly to help him but the angry bees flew at her also and stung her tender hands and face until she cried out with the pain. "Oh, what have we done! What have we done!" and, snatching the cover, Alice tried to place it upon the pail again—but too late, for not a single bee was left inside. For a little time the air was filled with angry buzzing, but soon the bees flew far away into the wood and Alice and her friend were left alone.
Smarting with pain the girl turned toward her home. Her little feet moved wearily, and the empty pail hung loosely on her arm. That night she cried herself to sleep in mother's arms, but the pretty red sash was never worn by Alice, except sometimes in her dreams.
THE LOST COMB.
One day while Lesa was picking flowers in the wood the beautiful golden comb that she always wore fell out of her hair and was lost. She searched and she searched, but she could not find it. At last she began to cry, and she cried and she cried.
Just then along came Rollicking Robin.
"Oh, do help me, Rollicking Robin!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"Cheer up, cheer up, cheer up! I'll go seek it." sang Rollicking
Robin, "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So he looked and he looked and he looked, but no comb could he find.
Just then along came Busy Bee.
"Oh, do help me, Busy Bee!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"Buzz, buzz, buzz! I'll go seek it," hummed Busy Bee. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So she looked and she looked and she looked, but no comb could she find.
Just then along came Fleet-footed Field Mouse.
"Oh, do help me, Fleet-footed Field Mouse!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"Eep, eep, eep! I'll go seek it," squeaked Fleet-footed Field Mouse.
"I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So he looked and he looked and he looked, but no comb could he find.
Just then along came Chirping Cricket.
"Oh, do help me, Chirping Cricket!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"Chirp, chirp, chirp! I'll go seek it," piped Chirping Cricket. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So he looked and he looked and he looked, but no comb could he find.
Just then along came Gliding Brown Snake.
"Oh, do help me, Gliding Brown Snake!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"Sssssssss! I'll go seek it," hissed Gliding Brown Snake. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So he looked and he looked and he looked, but no comb could he find.
Just then along came Cunning Black Ant.
"Oh, do help me, Cunning Black Ant!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"I'll go seek it," said Cunning Black Ant. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So she looked and she looked and she looked, but no comb could she find.
Just then along came Flitting Butterfly.
"Oh, do help me, Flitting Butterfly!" sobbed Lesa. "I have lost my comb, my golden comb. What shall I do? My mother will fret, my father will scold, my little sister will cry, and some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it."
"I'll go seek it," said Flitting Butterfly. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
So she looked and she looked and she looked, but no comb could she find.
Just then along came Wrinkled Brown Toad.
"Oo-o-o-o! You ugly thing! Out of my sight!" cried Lesa. "I have trouble enough without you! I have lost my comb, my golden comb! No one can find it! Oh, what shall I do?"
"I'll go seek it," croaked Wrinkled Brown Toad. "I will find your golden comb, have no fear."
"You find my comb!" cried Lesa. "If Rollicking Robin and Busy Bee and Fleet-footed Field Mouse and Chirping Cricket and Gliding Brown Snake and Cunning Black Ant and Flitting Butterfly cannot help me, how can such a stupid, ugly, hobbling thing as you find my golden comb? Be off! Get out of my sight!"
Poor Wrinkled Brown Toad hopped away and Lesa was left alone. "Oh, what shall I do? What shall I do?" she cried. "Oh, my comb, my golden comb! Some harm will surely come to me if I do not find it!" And, throwing herself upon the ground, Lesa sobbed as if her heart would break.
For a long time this forlorn little girl lay with her face buried in the moss and leaves. Suddenly she heard a strange noise behind her. She sprang to her feet and, turning, saw coming toward her with great flying leaps—whom do you suppose? Yes, it was Wrinkled Brown Toad again. And what do you suppose he held in his ugly jaws? Yes, it was Lesa's golden comb.
"Oh, there it is! There it is! Oh, I'm so glad, so glad!" cried Lesa. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Where did you find it? I'm sorry I was cross! I'm sorry I called you stupid and ugly and hobbling! You have bright eyes. I did not notice them before. Yes, they are really beautiful, all golden like my comb."
And Lesa bent and stroked Wrinkled Brown Toad on his ugly head; and, ever after that, they were friends.
BILLY BOBTAIL.
Once upon a time a little boy named Billy Bobtail went to seek his fortune; and on the road he met a bull.
"Moo, moo, moo!" said the bull. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the bull.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the bull.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the bull followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther, and met a goat.
"Baa, baa, baa!" said the goat. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the goat.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the goat.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the goat followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a sheep.
"Maa, maa, maa!" said the sheep. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the sheep.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the sheep.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the sheep followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a pig.
"Wee, wee, wee!" said the pig. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the pig.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the pig.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the pig followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a dog.
"Bow, wow, wow!" said the dog. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the dog.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the dog.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the dog followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a cat.
"Meow, meow, meow!" said the cat. "Where are you going, Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the cat.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the cat.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the cat followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a turkey.
"Gobble, gobble, gobble!" said the turkey. "Where are you going, Billy
Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the turkey.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the turkey.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the turkey followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a rooster.
"Cock-a-doodle-doo!" said the rooster. "Where are you going, Billy
Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the rooster.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the rooster.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the rooster followed on after Billy Bobtail.
They went along a little way farther and met a hen.
"Cut-cut-cut-cut-ka-dat-cut!" said the hen. "Where are you going,
Billy Bobtail?"
"Oh, I'm going to seek my fortune!" said Billy Bobtail.
"May I go, too?" said the hen.
"No," said Billy Bobtail.
"Yes, I will," said the hen.
"Well, then, come along," said Billy Bobtail.
So the hen followed on after Billy Bobtail. And there they were,—first Billy Bobtail and then the bull and then the goat and then the sheep and then the pig and then the dog and then the cat and then the turkey and then the rooster and then the hen,—all following on after Billy Bobtail. On and on they walked. All day long they traveled; and, just as it began to grow dark, they came to a deep, deep wood. It looked so dark that Billy Bobtail almost felt afraid. "Never mind!" said he, "if anything tries to hurt us, I can whistle and throw stones."
"And I can bellow and hook," said the bull.
"And I can butt and bleat," said the goat.
"And I can butt and bleat," said the sheep.
"And I can squeal and bite," said the pig.
"And I can bark and bite," said the dog.
"And I can mew and scratch," said the cat.
"And I can gobble," said the turkey.
"And I can crow," said the rooster.
"And I can cackle," said the hen.
"Very well," said Billy Bobtail; "I think we shall be quite safe."
So on they went through the wood; but suddenly they heard a crashing and trampling in the underbrush and then a savage growl, as of some great wild creature about to rush upon them.
Billy Bobtail began to whistle and throw stones.
The bull began to bellow.
The goat began to bleat.
The sheep began to bleat.
The pig began to squeal.
The dog began to bark.
The cat began to mew.
The turkey began to gobble.
The rooster began to crow.
The hen began to cackle.
And they all made such a noise that the creature, whoever he was, was so frightened that he ran away as fast as his legs could carry him, never even once stopping to look back.
Soon Billy Bobtail and his friends came to a clearing—a place in the wood where the trees had all been cut away. Right in the middle of this clearing stood a little house.
"What a fine place for us to stay in all night," said Billy Bobtail, for it was now almost dark.
"But suppose the people are not friendly?" said the bull, thinking of the savage creature that they had just frightened away.
"I will go and peep in at the window and find out," said the cat. "I can walk softly on my four cushions, and with my green eyes I can see in the dark."
So the cat crept to the window of the little house, and peeped in. Soon she came back and said, "There is no one at home, and it does not look as if anyone had lived here for a long, long time."
When Billy Bobtail and his friends went inside the little house they found it very comfortable.
"Hurrah! I shall sleep in the bed," said Billy Bobtail.
"Bow, wow, wow! I shall sleep under the bed," said the dog, "and guard my master."
"Wee, wee!" said the pig, "I shall sleep in the oven where it is nice and warm."