Dicky Duck had never heard of an Eatyoup, but he had no intention of
letting anyone think there was anything he did not know, so he swam
nearer and said, "Well, I am wise, and if you wish to know anything ask
me. Come out where I can see you and we can talk to each other
better." He was trying all the time to get a glimpse of the new
animal, but Mr. Fox was a wise creature himself and he had no intention
of being seen.
"Oh, dear! I should hate to show my miserable little self to such a
big, fine-looking creature as you are," he said. "It is bad enough to
have you know I am stupid, but if you will come closer I will tell you
what it is I want to know."
Dicky Duck by this time was very brave, for what had he to fear from so
small a creature as the Eatyoup. So he swam right up to the side of
the pond and out bounced Mr. Fox and almost caught him.
If Dicky had not used his wings as well as his feet he would not have
escaped, but he was in the middle of the pond, swimming for dear life,
by the time Mr. Fox was in the water, and as the farm was not far off
Mr. Fox decided not to risk his life.
When Dicky Duck reached the barnyard he told all the fowl about the
strange animal he had seen, called an Eatyoup, and that, while he had a
very weak voice, he was almost as large as big Rover, the dog.
Of course everyone thought Dicky wiser than ever when he told this, but
for all that he was very careful not to swim near the woods again, for,
though he had told the fowl he had seen an Eatyoup, he was pretty sure
in his own mind that he had met Mr. Fox.
THE TELL-TALE GOBLIN
[Illustration: The Tell-Tale Goblin]
Once upon a time there was a Little Fairy who loved to wander by the
river, and as the Fairy Queen does not like her subjects to go too near
the water, the Little Fairy had to steal away.
Always when they held a revel this Little Fairy would fly away from the
dance and wander down by the river to watch the ripple of the water as
it flowed over the pebbles and stones.
One night a Goblin, who always watched the fairies, happened to be
sitting under a bush and saw the Little Fairy.
"What is she doing here all alone?" he said to himself. "She has run
away from her sisters, and I am quite sure the Queen does not know
where she is. I'll watch her, and if she is up to mischief I'll tell
the Queen. Maybe she will give me a new red coat for telling her."
Now, this little tell-tale Goblin began to watch, and pretty soon he
saw a mist rise from the river; then it looked like foam, all silvery,
in the moonlight.
And then suddenly as he watched, the goblin saw a handsome youth rise
from the river and hold out his arms to the Little Fairy standing on
the bank.
"Ah-ha!" said the Goblin. "She has a lover, has she? Well I'll tell
the Queen and I guess these midnight meetings will be stopped, and I am
sure now I shall get a new coat for telling."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account