Children's stories, American; Fairy tales; Fairy tales -- United States; Short stories
“Because I own you. You’re my private property,” she answered.
“I don’t see how you make that out,” said the bear, in a disappointed
tone.
“Why, the book was given to me; my name’s on the front leaf. And you
belong, by rights, in the book. So you mustn’t dare to eat your owner!”
The Grizzly hesitated.
“Can any of you read?” he asked.
“I can,” said the clown.
“Then see if she speaks the truth. Is her name really in the book?”
The clown picked it up and looked at the name.
“It is,” said he. “‘Jane Gladys Brown;’ and written quite plainly in
big letters.”
The bear sighed.
“Then, of course, I can’t eat her,” he decided. “That author is as
disappointing as most authors are.”
“But he’s not as bad as the artist,” exclaimed the donkey, who was
still trying to stand up straight.
“The fault lies with yourselves,” said Jane Gladys, severely. “Why
didn’t you stay in the book, where you were put?”
The animals looked at each other in a foolish way, and the clown
blushed under his white paint.
“Really—” began the bear, and then he stopped short.
The door bell rang loudly.
“It’s mamma!” cried Jane Gladys, springing to her feet. “She’s come
home at last. Now, you stupid creatures—”
But she was interrupted by them all making a rush for the book. There
was a swish and a whirr and a rustling of leaves, and an instant later
the book lay upon the floor looking just like any other book, while
Jane Gladys’ strange companions had all disappeared.
This story should teach us to think quickly and clearly upon all
occasions; for had Jane Gladys not remembered that she owned the bear
he probably would have eaten her before the bell rang.
THE ENCHANTED TYPES
One time a knook became tired of his beautiful life and longed for
something new to do. The knooks have more wonderful powers than any
other immortal folk—except, perhaps, the fairies and ryls. So one would
suppose that a knook who might gain anything he desired by a simple
wish could not be otherwise than happy and contented. But such was not
the case with Popopo, the knook we are speaking of. He had lived
thousands of years, and had enjoyed all the wonders he could think of.
Yet life had become as tedious to him now as it might be to one who was
unable to gratify a single wish.
Finally, by chance, Popopo thought of the earth people who dwell in
cities, and so he resolved to visit them and see how they lived. This
would surely be fine amusement, and serve to pass away many wearisome
hours.
Therefore one morning, after a breakfast so dainty that you could
scarcely imagine it, Popopo set out for the earth and at once was in
the midst of a big city.
His own dwelling was so quiet and peaceful that the roaring noise of
the town startled him. His nerves were so shocked that before he had
looked around three minutes he decided to give up the adventure, and
instantly returned home.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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