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。
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