The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 8: Animal and Nature Stories
Children's literature
On his arrival in England, he was sent to the menagerie at the
Tower. While there, another terrier was introduced into his den.
Possibly he may have mistaken it for his old friend, for he
immediately became attached to the dog, and appeared uneasy
whenever it was taken away. Now and then the dangerous experiment
was tried of allowing the terrier to remain while the tiger was
fed. Presuming on their friendship, the dog occasionally ventured
to approach him; but the tiger showed his true nature on such
occasions by snarling in a way which made the little animal quickly
retreat.
He had been in England two years, when one of the seamen of the
_Pitt_ came to the Tower. The animal at once recognized his
old friend, and appeared so delighted, that the sailor begged to be
allowed to go into the den. The tiger, on this, rubbed himself
against him, licked his hands, and fawned on him as a cat would
have done. The sailor remained in the den for a couple of hours or
more, during which time the tiger kept so close to him, that it was
evident he would have some difficulty in getting out again, without
the animal making his escape at the same time. The den consisted of
two compartments. At last the keeper contrived to entice the tiger
to the inner one, when he closed the slide, and the seaman was
liberated.
Even a wolf, savage as that animal is, may, if caught young, and
treated kindly, become tame.
A story is told of a wolf which showed a considerable amount of
affection for its master. He had brought it up from a puppy, and it
became as tame as the best-trained dog, obeying him in everything.
Having frequently to leave home, and not being able to take the
wolf with him, he sent it to a menagerie, where he knew it would be
carefully looked after. At first the wolf was very unhappy, and
evidently pined for its absent master. At length, resigning itself
to its fate, it made friends with its keepers, and recovered its
spirits.
Fully eighteen months had passed by, when its old master, returning
home, paid a visit to the menagerie. Immediately he spoke, the wolf
recognized his voice, and made strenuous efforts to get free. On
being set at liberty it sprang forward, and leaped up and caressed
him like a dog. Its master, however, left it with its keepers, and
three years passed away before he paid another visit to the
menagerie. Notwithstanding this lapse of time, the wolf again
recognized him, and exhibited the same marks of affection.
On its master again going away, the wolf became gloomy and
desponding, and refused its food, so that fears were entertained
for its life.
It recovered its health, however, and though it suffered its
keepers to approach, exhibited the savage disposition of its tribe
towards all strangers.
The history of this wolf shows you that the fiercest tempers may be
calmed by gentleness.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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