The laughing bear, and other storiesBell, Robert Bloomer Hare
Science
The laughing bear, and other stories
Bell, Robert Bloomer Hare
Children's stories
"Well, and if he did? We have not shot his birds."
So Betty stared open-eyed while Charlie outlined his plans. They were
to steal away that afternoon, taking with them their favorite dog, Don.
As soon as dinner was over, Charlie and Betty, attended by Don, struck
off into the woods with light hearts. They took the old, familiar
path, over which they had many a time before played hide and seek.
However, it soon vanished into a new and unknown winding trail. They
were delighted to find a road so easily traveled in the heart of the
wood. Though they did not know it, the path was really a deer's runway.
For at least two long hours the children wandered, whither they did not
know. At times they would stand and shout, just to see the squirrels
scramble and talk back at them, and even Don would stretch out his neck
and howl in unison. Occasionally a wild bird scurried away. Don always
gave pursuit.
Suddenly Don cocked up his short ears and whined. The children looked
and saw a few yards away a little vine-covered hut.
"This is the monk's home, I believe!" whispered Charlie.
"Oh!" exclaimed Betty, clapping her hands; "isn't it fun?"
Don, seeing Betty clap her hands, and beholding Charlie's face so
eagerly looking in the direction of the hut, thought something strange
was going on, and he lifted up his great head and barked. The woods
rang with his voice, and Charlie silenced him. They could hear the
clatter of geese and the quack-quack of ducks, but not a sign of a
human being could be seen.
"Let us go closer," whispered Charlie, growing bolder. Betty nodded,
and slowly they crept, holding onto Don's collar, until they entered a
most beautiful yard. In the center was a large pond, filled with wild
geese, ducks, and all sorts of fowl. Nothing seemed to be afraid. The
house was one mass of trellis work, ivy green. The door was open and
the children, growing still bolder, entered. They found a table spread
with flowers and fruits and other things to eat. Don, without waiting
for ceremony, sniffed at a piece of bacon, and promptly devoured it.
He looked around at the children, licking his chops and grinning. They
were also tempted to partake, but the stillness made them afraid.
While they were looking at the pretty things within, they heard a step
at the door. They turned and saw walking toward them a great turkey
gobbler, almost as big as a man.
"Gobble-gobble," said the turkey. Don bristled up his hairs and growled.
"Gobble-gobble," again began the turkey. Charlie, summoning courage,
spoke up:
"Well, Mr. Turkey, we are not doing any harm, and we will go away, if
you make room for us."
But the turkey only drew closer. "Gobble-gobble!--"
"Mr. Turkey," began Betty, feeling afraid, for he looked as if he were
going to peck them, "we have come to see the monk."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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