The dame made a curtesy, The dame said, "Your servant," The hat The coat Oh, mother! THE YOUNG MOUSE There was once a little Mouse that lived in a cupboard. Many nice things were kept there. The Mouse had all she wanted to eat. She often ran into the dining-room when the family were eating. She picked up the crumbs under the table. Nobody had ever hurt her, but sometimes she was frightened by the cat. One day she came running to her mother in great joy. "Oh, mother!" she said, "somebody has built a little house for me to live in. The house is in the cupboard. I am sure it is for me, it is so small. I think it was made so I could be safe from that naughty cat. The door is just big enough for me, but it is not big enough for Puss. There was some cheese in the little house. It smelled so good I wanted to run right in and eat some. I thought I would tell you about it first. Come, mother, let us go back and stay there to-night." "My dear child," said the Mother Mouse, "that house is a trap. I am so glad you did not go into it. I never should have seen you again. Then you would have been given to the cat and she would have eaten you. You must run away from the trap as you do from the cat." Dr. Aikin. THE FISHERMAN AND THE FISH A Fisherman was catching Fish Oh, Fisherman, do not kill me! one day. He was taking a Fish from his hook, when the Fish said, "Oh, Fisherman, do not kill me! Throw me into the water again. I am too little to be eaten now. I shall be much better when I am larger." "That may be," said the Fisherman. “But I am not sure of catching you then.” WHEN I WAS A LITTLE BOY I lived by myself, -Æsop And all the bread and cheese I got, On a wheelbarrow The rats and the mice, I had to go to London The streets were so broad, And the lanes were so narrow, I had to bring my wife home On a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow broke, And my wife had a fall; Down tumbled wheelbarrow, Little wife and all. |