THE GUESTS ARRIVE SAFELY AT THE WEDDING
Puss, Jr., continued on his way with his small comrades, the squirrel, the old bullfrog, the chipmunk, the muskrat, the beaver (who had joined them without being asked after they had paid him for crossing his dam), and the timid little rabbit. Presently they saw in the distance the wedding procession of c.o.c.k Robin and Jenny Wren.
And first came Parson Rook, With his spectacles and band, And one of Mother Hubbard"s books He held within his hand.
The Sparrow and the Tomt.i.t, And many more, were there.
All came to see the wedding Of Jenny Wren, the fair.
Then followed him the Lark, For he could sweetly sing, And he was to be the clerk At c.o.c.k Robin"s wedding.
"Let us make haste," cried Puss, Jr., "or we shall be late."
"Please don"t go so fast," begged the old bullfrog. "I"m a very poor walker."
"Here, climb up on my back," said the squirrel. "You can lean against my tail. It will keep you from falling off."
This helped matters a great deal, and our little friends moved forward at a good pace. The old bullfrog was also much relieved. He was pretty tired and every once in a while gasped for breath. He was not too weary, however, to catch several flies on the way, and he winked quite solemnly at Puss, who grinned in return. As they neared the wedding procession they heard the lark singing.
He sang of Robin"s love For little Jenny Wren; And when he came unto the end, Then he began again.
The Goldfinch came on next, To give away the bride; The Linnet, being bridesmaid, Walked by Jenny"s side;
And as she was a-walking, Said, "Upon my word, I think that your c.o.c.k Robin Is a very pretty bird."
"I think he is," whispered Puss, Jr., to the squirrel.
"So do I," said the chipmunk.
"Ker-chunk," said the old bullfrog, "he has a fine red vest. I always like white waistcoats, though," he added, looking down at his own; "but then, you know, everybody doesn"t like the same thing."
PUSS IS WELCOMED AT THE WEDDING
All the birds of the forest seemed to be at the wedding of c.o.c.k Robin and little Jenny Wren, as Puss, Jr., and his little friends sat down beneath a big tree. The little squirrel cuddled up to Puss, while the chipmunk sat close by. The muskrat and the beaver stood near at hand, while the rabbit and the old bullfrog, who had climbed off the squirrel"s back, looked out from behind the tree trunk. They were the most timid of all, so they hid behind the tree.
All the birds were singing as sweetly as could be. It was certainly very beautiful wedding music. Perhaps the most exquisite strains came from
The Blackbird and the Thrush, And charming Nightingale, Whose soft note sweetly echoes Through every grove and dale;
The Bullfinch walked by Robin, And thus to him did say: "Pray mark, friend Robin Redbreast, That Goldfinch dressed so gay;
"What though her gay apparel Becomes her very well, Yet Jenny"s modest dress and look Must bear away the bell."
Just then Parson Rook looked over at them. "Why, Puss in Boots, Junior!"
he called out. "Come over here," and, turning to the wedding guests, he said: "There is the son of the famous Puss in Boots. We are honored to have so ill.u.s.trious a person with us. And delighted, too, for he is a great traveler and a jolly good fellow."
Puss, Jr., arose and bowed.
"Bring your little friends with you, also," said Parson Rook, "for all the forest folk are welcome. Who is there more loved, I would like to know, than Robin Redbreast and little Jenny Wren?"
"n.o.body!" croaked the old bullfrog.
"No one," said Puss, Jr.
"We all love Robin and Jenny," cried the squirrel and the chipmunk.
"And so do I," "And so do I," cried the beaver and the rabbit together.
As they finished the birds began to sing the wedding-march.
Then came the bride and bridegroom, Quite plainly was she dressed, And blushed so much, her cheeks were As red as Robin"s breast.
But Robin cheered her up; "My pretty Jen," said he, "We"re going to be married, And happy we shall be."
"I"m going to give her a gold piece for good luck," whispered Puss.
"I"ve got a nut," said the little squirrel.
"And so have I!" said the chipmunk. "We"ll each give her a nut."
"I"ll give her a fresh-water pearl," said the old bullfrog.
The rabbit and the beaver looked at each other. "We"ll have to run home and get something," they cried.
THE BRIDE RECEIVES SOME HANDSOME PRESENTS
"Don"t be gone long," cried Puss, Jr., as the rabbit and the beaver ran off to their homes to get a present for Jenny Wren. "You had better hurry, or the wedding will be over by the time you return."
"Don"t worry about me," said the rabbit, whisking away at a great rate.
"I"ll be back, never fear," said the beaver.
Puss watched them out of sight, then he heard the parson begin again:
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook, "Who gives this maid away?"
"I do," says the Goldfinch, "And her fortune I will pay;
"Here"s a bag of grain of many sorts, And other things besides; Now happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride."
Presently the rabbit returned. "Do you think she will like this?" he asked Puss, Jr., holding up a little white powder-puff. "I made it all myself. I had it put away in a little box for safe-keeping."