6. In the morning, long rows of them will stand waiting for ladies to come and hire them. They are so kind and steady, that there is no danger to the little children who ride them. 7. The donkey is very sure-footed, and will carry his rider safely over steep and stony places where a horse can not go. Poor, old donkey! He looks stupid, and he is slow. But, when treated kindly, he is a very willing and faithful servant. [Illustration] LESSON XXX. _WHAT THE DONKEY CAN DO._ [Illustration] 1. The donkey is not as stupid as he looks, and he has often shown that he knows what he is about, and that he is able to take care of himself. 2. In the picture we see a little girl with a donkey going to market, and as Dick is always treated kindly, he is ready to do all he can for her. 3. A man who bought a donkey for his children, tells this story of him: “I did not allow him to be pounded, and he got something better to eat than thistles. My donkey proved to be no fool; but, like others, who have more wit than good manners, he was forever getting into mischief, and leading others into it. 4. “He could open all the gates, and climb all the fences; and many a morning he woke me by braying in the midst of my field of wheat. I was obliged to sell him, as he knew too much about doors and gates, and was too cunning to be kept.” 5. A man once set his bull-dog to attack a donkey that was grazing near the river. For a while the donkey kept his heels toward the dog in such a way that the dog could not get at him. 6. Watching his chance, the donkey turned and seized the dog by the nape of his neck, so that he could not use his jaws, then dragged him to the river, plunged him in, and lay down upon him, keeping his head under water until he was drowned. [Illustration] [Illustration: Fiddle-de-dee, The cat was at tea, The rabbit was taking snuff, The dog and the pig Were dancing a jig, And the donkey put on a lace ruff.] [Illustration: Oxen at Work.] LESSON XXXI. _HOW THE COW LOOKS._ [Illustration] 1. Among our four-footed friends the cow comes next, and we wish to find out something about her. Will, do you think you can help us? 2. Yes! Since we began these lessons I have watched our cows, and have found out some things that I did not know before. 3. The cow has a heavier body and shorter legs than a horse. She has a short neck, and a long tail, with a bunch of coarse hair on the end of it. Her head is larger than that of a horse, and her nose is wider. Her ears stand out on each side of her head, and above them she has a pair of horns that spread out. 4. Her hoof is not round, like that of a horse, but is split into two parts, and is called a cloven hoof. She has a thick coat of coarse hair, which keeps her warm in all but the very coldest weather.