LITTLE SIR CAT
Little Sir Cat Sees Cinderella
One evening Little Sir Cat came to a small cottage, through the window of which he saw sitting by the fireside, a ragged girl and a queer little old woman dressed in a green gown and a high-peaked hat.
"I do believe that"s her Fairy G.o.dmother," he whispered, when, all of a sudden, the old woman waved her wand, and the next moment the ragged girl was clothed in a beautiful ball dress, and two cunning little gla.s.s slippers, just like those in the fairy story book, appeared on the hearth.
Then a big pumpkin rolled out through the door and turned into a splendid coach, followed by six little mice, who at once changed into six beautiful white horses.
"I"d like to have eaten one of those mice," thought Little Sir Cat, "but it"s too late now."
Pretty soon the girl walked out in her little gla.s.s slippers and stepped into the coach, the powdered footman jumping up behind as it rattled down the street and away into the darkness.
[Ill.u.s.tration: LITTLE SIR CAT SEES CINDERELLA]
Little Sir Cat was about to turn away disappointed and hungry, when the Fairy G.o.dmother opened the window and looked out: "Why, kitten, what are you doing here?" she exclaimed.
"Looking for a place to sleep."
"Come right in," she answered, in a kind voice, and, leaning out, helped tired little Puss over the windowsill.
"Take off your boots and make yourself comfortable, while I get you a nice supper of cake and cream."
Standing his boots up in a corner of the room, he warmed his tired toes by the open fire. After he had eaten his supper the Fairy G.o.dmother said, "You can stay here all night if you wish," and he was so tired and sleepy that he didn"t hear her add, "but you"d better get away early before Cinderella"s two big cross sisters come down for breakfast," for when he woke up it was morning and somebody was coming downstairs.
But, oh, dear me! He had hardly pulled on his boots when the door opened, and in came Cinderella"s two cross and very ugly sisters.
"Good morning!" said Little Sir Cat.
"Mercy! What"s that?" they both screamed, while one of them seized a long-handled broom, pushed him down the dark cellar steps and bolted the door. It was very damp and dark, just like a dungeon, and he was just about to give up all hope when the door at the head of the stairs opened, and there stood Cinderella.
"How you startled me!" she exclaimed, with a laugh, looking at his pretty red top boots. "But after what happened last night I ought not to be surprised at anything."
"Of course you shouldn"t," he answered.
"Why, what do you know?" asked Cinderella.
"I saw you, but I won"t tell," he added, as a frightened look came over her pretty face. "Please give me some breakfast."
And when he had finished he said good-by, but Cinderella hardly heard him, for she was still dreaming of the handsome prince whom she had met the night before.
And pretty soon--I"ll tell you another story--unless--
_Tomorrow it rains dogs and cats And ruins all the children"s hats._
A LITTLE GIRL"S DIARY
Monday
_I love her on a Monday When hanging out the clothes, And I"m gunning for the blackbird That dares trespa.s.s on her nose._
Monday morning after breakfast I start for school. Jack and I go the same way, and he leaves me at the door, so Mother knows I"m safe. When school is over, lots of us girls go home together. Quite often some of my schoolmates come home with me for lunch, and then we play in the house for a little while before we go to the park. Of course, Monday is Dolly"s wash day, so I usually wash her clothes very carefully and hang them up to dry in the little garden on top of my doll"s house. This just came for Christmas, and I like it so much that I am going to keep it in order just the way Mother does our house, so that is why I try to do every day just what they are doing in the big grown-up house. It doesn"t take very long for Dolly"s little things to dry, and then I fold them up and put them in a cunning little clothes basket until the next day, when I start my ironing.
THE JOLLY JUNGLE FOLK
[Ill.u.s.tration]
"Tis July Fourth in Jungle Land, And down the Forest"s Emerald Strand The animals in gay parade March "neath the big trees" leafy shade.
With horn and trumpet, rattlers loud, Which Rattle Snake has lent the crowd, They make a noise that would compare With a tornado anywhere.
Our old friend Tommy Tiger grins, As Mikey Monk some trick begins, While Harry Hippopotamus Says, "Don"t you dare to make a fuss!"
Then Oscar Ostrich says "How do!"
As Buster Bear comes into view; "I hope you have recovered quite-- Those b.u.mble Bees know how to bite!"
"Forget it!" Buster growls with pluck, "I haven"t yet paid Doctor Duck!"
But seeing then their Lion Lord, They all bow down with one accord.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
King Leo, with his tawny mane, Is sauntering down the Forest Lane, In all his majesty and pride His Ladyship close by his side.
"It must be almost midnight now,"
Cries Mikey with a lowly bow; "Will not your Royal Highness stay And see the rockets glittering spray?"
The Roman Candles shoot forth stars, The rockets circle Jupe and Mars, When suddenly across the sky A big black cloud goes drifting by.
It hides from view the silver moon, The Jolly Junglers cease their tune; A hush falls over leaf and root-- And then the Owl begins to hoot.
Twelve times he toots his horn-- "Let"s go to bed before the morn,"
King Leo cries, "This awful din Has made my noodle fairly spin!"
So all the Jolly Jungle Band Go home to sleep at his command, And all is quiet as a mouse Within each Jolly Jungler"s house.