The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories — John Shaqi
The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
Children's literature
Naturally, it is a good test of courage and temper to turn a new
bear into that roystering crowd. Usually a newcomer is badly scared
during his first day in the Nursery, and very timid during the
next. But grizzlies are different. They are born full of courage
and devoid of all sense of fear.
When little Cyclone's travelling box was opened, and he found
himself free in the Nursery, he stalked deliberately to the centre
of the stage, halted, and calmly looked about him. His air and
manner said as plainly as English: "I'm a grizzly from Alaska, and
I've come to stay. If any of you fellows think there is anything
coming to you from me, come and take it."
Little Czar, a very saucy but good-natured European brown bear cub,
walked up and aimed a sample blow at Cyclone's left ear. Quick as a
flash out shot Cyclone's right paw, as only a grizzly can strike,
and caught the would-be hazer on the side of the head. Amazed and
confounded, Czar fled in wild haste. Next in order, a black bear
cub, twice the size of Cyclone, made a pass at the newcomer, and he
too received so fierce a countercharge that he ignominiously
quitted the field and scrambled to the top of the cliff.
Cyclone conscientiously met every attack, real or feigned, that was
made upon him. In less than an hour it was understood by every bear
in the Nursery that that queer-looking gray fellow with the broad
head and short nose could strike quick and hard, and that he could
fight any other bear on three seconds' notice.
From that time on Cyclone's position has been assured. He is
treated with the respect that a good forearm inspires, but being
really a fine-spirited, dignified little grizzly, he attacks no
one, and never has had a fight.
SOME TRUE STORIES OF TIGERS, WOLVES, FOXES AND BEARS
By W. H. G. Kingston
On one of her voyages from China, the Pitt, East Indiaman, had on
board, among her passengers, a young tiger. He appeared to be as
harmless and playful as a kitten, and allowed the utmost
familiarity from every one. He was especially fond of creeping into
the sailors' hammocks; and while he lay stretched on the deck, he
would suffer two or three of them to place their heads on his back,
as upon a pillow. Now and then, however, he would at dinner-time
run off with pieces of their meat; and though sometimes severely
punished for the theft, he bore the chastisement he received with
the patience of a dog. His chief companion was a terrier, with whom
he would play all sorts of tricks--tumbling and rolling over the
animal in the most amusing manner, without hurting it. He would
also frequently run out on the bowsprit, and climb about the
rigging with the agility of a cat.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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