The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful TalesStockton, Frank R.
Science
The Bee-Man of Orn and Other Fanciful Tales
Stockton, Frank R.
Fairy tales
"Oh, that is easy," said the one who had studied mechanics; "you just
bore another hole about six inches above the first one, and put in
another bolt. Then, of course, she can't move."
This settled all the difficulties, and it was agreed to start out
early the next morning, gather the fruit, and claim the reward the
King had offered. They accordingly went to the Captain and asked him
for a sharp saw, a mallet and chisel, an auger, two iron bolts, and
two very long ropes. These, having been cheerfully given to them,
were put away in readiness for the work to be attempted.
Very early on the next morning, the First Class in Long Division set
out for the Fragile Palm, carrying their tools and ropes. Few people
were awake as they passed through the city, and, without being
observed, they reached the little plain on which the tree stood. The
ropes were attached at the proper places, the tree was sawn,
diagonally, according to the plan; the bolt was put in, and the
corners of the wedge were rounded off. Then the eldest boy produced a
pound of butter, whereupon his comrades, who had seized the ropes,
paused in surprise and asked him why he had brought the butter.
"I thought it well," was the reply, "to bring along some butter,
because, when the tree is down, we can grease the hinge, and then it
will not be so hard to pull it up again."
When all was ready, eight of the boys took hold of the long ropes,
while another one with a pole pushed against the trunk of the Fragile
Palm. When it began to lean over a little, he dropped his pole and
ran to help the others with the ropes. Slowly the tree moved on its
hinge, descending at first very gradually; but it soon began to move
with greater rapidity, although the boys held it back with all their
strength; and, in spite of their most desperate efforts, the top came
to the ground at last with a great thump. And then they all dropped
their ropes, and ran for the fruit. Fortunately the great nuts
incased in their strong husks were not in the least injured, and the
boys soon pulled them off, about forty in all. Some of the boys were
in favor of cracking open a few of the nuts and eating them, but this
the eldest boy positively forbade.
"This fruit," he said, "is looked upon as almost sacred, and if we
were to eat any of it, it is probable that we should be put to death,
which would be extremely awkward for fellows who have gone to all the
trouble we have had. We must set up the tree and carry the fruit to
the King."
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.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account