Wednesday's Good Reading: "The Fox and the Geese" by unknown writer (in English)

 

    There was once a Goose at the point of death,

    So she called her three daughters near,

    And desired them all, with her latest breath,

    Her last dying words to hear.

 

    "There's a Mr. Fox," said she, "that I know,

    Who lives in a covert hard by,

    To our race he has proved a deadly foe,

    So beware of his treachery."

 

    Build houses, ere long, of stone or of bricks,

    And get tiles for your roofs, I pray;

    For I know, of old, Mr. Reynard's tricks,

    And I fear he may come any day."

 

    Thus saying, she died, and her daughters fair, --

    Gobble, Goosey, and Ganderee, --

    Agreed together, that they would beware

    Of Mr. Fox, their enemy.

 

    But Gobble, the youngest, I grieve to say,

    Soon came to a very bad end,

    Because she preferred her own silly way,

    And would not to her mother attend.

 

    For she made, with some boards, an open nest,

    For a roof took the lid of a box;

    Then quietly laid herself down to rest,

    And thought she was safe from the Fox.

 

    But Reynard, in taking an evening run,

    Soon scented the goose near the pond;

    Thought he, " Now I'll have some supper and fun,

    For of both I am really fond."

 

    Then on to the box he sprang in a trice,

    And roused Mrs. Gobble from bed;

    She only had time to hiss once or twice

    Ere he snapped off her lily-white head.

 

 

 

    Her sisters at home felt anxious and low

    When poor Gobble did not appear,

    And Goosey, determined her fate to know,

    Went and sought all the field far and near.

 

    At last she descried poor Gobble's head,

    And some feathers not far apart,

    So she told Ganderee she had found her dead,

    And they both felt quite sad at heart.

 

    Now Goosey was pretty, but liked her own way,

    Like Gobble, and some other birds."

    'Tis no matter," said she, "if I only obey

    A part of my mother's last words."

 

    So her house she soon built of nice red brick,

    But she only thatched it with straw;

    And she thought that, however the fox might kick,

    He could not get e'en a paw.

 

    So she went to sleep, and at dead of night

    She heard at the door a low scratch;

    And presently Reynard, with all his might,

    Attempted to jump on the thatch.

 

    But he tumbled back, and against the wall

    Grazed his nose in a fearful way,

    Then, almost mad with the pain of his fall,

    He barked, and ran slowly away.

 

    So Goosey laughed, and felt quite o'erjoyed

    To have thus escaped from all harm;

    But had she known how the Fox was employed,

    She would have felt dreadful alarm;

 

    For Gobble had been his last dainty meat,

    So hungry he really did feel, --

    And resolved in his mind to accomplish this feat,

    And have the young goose for a meal.

 

    So he slyly lighted a bundle of straws,

    And made no more noise than a mouse,

    Then lifted himself up on his hind paws,

    And quickly set fire to the house.

 

    'Twas soon in a blaze, and Goosey awoke,

    With fright almost ready to die,

    And, nearly smothered with heat and with smoke,

    Up the chimney was forced to fly.

 

    The Fox was rejoiced to witness her flight,

    And, heedless of all her sad groans,

    He chased her until he saw her alight,

    Then eat her up all but her bones.

 

    Poor Ganderee's heart was ready to break

    When the sad news reached her ear.

    "'Twas that villain the Fox," said good Mr. Drake,

    Who lived in a pond very near.

 

    "Now listen to me, I pray you," he said,

    "And roof your new house with some tiles,

    Or you, like your sisters, will soon be dead, --

    A prey to your enemy's wiles."

 

    So she took the advice of her mother and friend,

    And made her house very secure,

    Then she said, -- "Now, whatever may be my end,

    The Fox cannot catch me, I'm sure."

 

    He called at her door the very next day,

    And loudly and long did he knock,

    But she said to him, -- "Leave my house, I pray,

    For the door I will not unlock;

 

    "For you've killed my sisters I know full well,

    And you wish that I too were dead."

    "Oh dear," said the Fox, " I can't really tell

    Who put such a thought in your head:

 

    "For I've always liked geese more than other birds,

    And you of your race I've loved best."

    But the Goose ne'er heeded his flattering words,

    So hungry he went to his rest.

 

    Next week she beheld him again appear,

    "Let me in very quick," he cried,

    "For the news I've to tell you'll be charmed to hear,

    And 'tis rude to keep me outside."

 

    But the Goose only opened one window-pane,

    And popped out her pretty red bill,

    Said she, "Your fair words are all in vain,

    But talk to me here if you will."

 

    "Tomorrow," he cried, " there will be a fair,

    All the birds and the beasts will go;

    So allow me, I pray, to escort you there,

    For you will be quite charmed I know."

 

    "Many thanks for your news," said Ganderee,

    "But I had rather not go with you;

    I care not for any gay sight to see," --

    So the window she closed, and withdrew.

 

    In the morning, howe'er, her mind she changed,

    And she thought she would go to the fair;

    So her numerous feathers she nicely arranged,

    And cleaned her red bill with much care.

 

    She went, I believe, before it was light,

    For of Reynard she felt much fear;

    So quickly she thought she would see each sight,

    And return ere he should appear.

 

    When the Goose arrived she began to laugh

    At the wondrous creatures she saw;

    There were dancing bears, and a tall giraffe,

    And a beautiful red macaw.

 

    A monkey was weighing out apples and roots;

    An ostrich, too, sold by retail;

    There were bees and butterflies tasting the fruits,

    And a pig drinking out of a pail.

 

    Ganderee went into an elephant's shop,

    And quickly she bought a new churn;

    For, as it grew late, she feared to stop,

    As in safety she wished to return.

 

    Ere, however, she got about half the way,

    She saw approaching her foe;

    And now she hissed with fear and dismay,

    For she knew not which way to go.

 

    But at last of a capital plan she bethought,

    Of a place where she safely might hide;

    She got into the churn that she had just bought,

    And then fastened the lid inside.

 

    The churn was placed on the brow of a hill,

    And with Ganderee's weight down it rolled,

    Passing the Fox, who stood perfectly still,

    Quite alarmed, though he was very bold.

 

    For the Goose's wings flapped strangely about,

    And the noise was fearful to hear;

    And so bruised she felt she was glad to get out,

    When she thought that the coast was clear.

 

    So safely she reached her own home at noon,

    And the Fox ne'er saw her that day;

    But after the fair he came very soon,

    And cried out in a terrible way, --

 

    "Quick, quick, let me in! oh, for once be kind,

    For the huntsman's horn I hear;

    Oh, hide me in any snug place you can find,

    For the hunters and hounds draw near."

 

    So the Goose looked out in order to see

    Whether Reynard was only in jest;

    Then, knowing that he in her power would be,

    She opened the door to her guest.

 

    "I'll hide you," she said, " in my nice new churn."

    "That will do very well," said he;

    "And thank you for doing me this good turn,

    Most friendly and kind Ganderee."

 

    Then into the churn the Fox quickly got;

    But, ere the Goose put on the top,

    A kettle she brought of water quite hot,

    And poured in every drop.

 

    Then the Fox cried out, "O! I burn, I burn,

    And I feel in a pitiful plight;"

    But the Goose held fast the lid of the churn,

    So Reynard he died that night.

 

    Moral

    Mankind have an enemy whom they well know,

    Who tempts them in every way;

    But they, too, at length shall o'ercome this foe,

    If wisdom's right law they obey.

Saturda's Good REading: " Who Killed Cock Robin?" (in English)

 

                   Who killed Cock Robin?

                    I, said the Sparrow,

                    With my bow and arrow,

                    I kill'd Cock Robin.

 

                    Who saw him die?

                    I, said the Fly,

                    With my little eye,

                    I saw him die.

 

                    Who caught his blood?

                    I, said the Fish,

                    With my little dish,

                    I caught his blood.

 

                    Who'll make his shroud?

                    I, said the Beetle,

                    With my thread and needle,

                    I'll make his shroud.

 

                    Who'll dig his grave?

                    I, said the Owl,

                    With my spade and trowel,

                    I'll dig his grave.

 

                    Who'll bear the pall?

                    We, said the Wren,

                    Both the Cock and the Hen,

                    We'll bear the pall.

 

                    Who'll carry him to the grave?

                    I, said the Kite,

                    If it's not in the night,

                    I'll carry him to the grave.

 

                    Who'll be the Parson?

                    I, said the Rook,

                    With my little book,

                    I'll be the Parson.

 

                    Who'll sing a Psalm?

                    I, said the Thrush,

                    As he sat in the bush,

                    I'll sing a Psalm?

 

                    Who'll be the Clerk?

                    I, said the Lark,

                    If it's not in the dark,

                    I'll be the Clerk.

 

                    Who'll be chief mourner?

                    I, said the Dove,

                    Because I mourned for my love,

                    I'll be chief mourner.

 

                    Who'll carry the link?

                    I, said the Linnet,

                    I'll fetch it in a minute,

                    I'll carry the link.

 

                    Who'll toll the bell?

                    I, said the Bull,

                    Because I can pull,

                    I'll toll the bell.

 

                    All the birds in the air

                    Fell to sighing and sobbing

                    When they heard the bell

                    For poor Cock Robin.

 

                    While the cruel Cock Sparrow,

                    The cause of their grief,

                    Was hung on a gibbet

                    Next day, like a thief.

Wednesday's Good Reading: “The Earl of Cattenborough” by Joseph Jacobs (in English).

 

Once upon a time there was a miller who had three sons, Charles, Sam, and John.

And every night when the servant went to bed he used to call out: "Good-night, missus; good-night, master; Good-night, Charles, Sam, John."

Now after a time the miller's wife died, and, soon after, the miller, leaving only the mill, the donkey, and the cat. And Charles, as the eldest, took the mill, and Sam took the donkey and went off with it, and John was left with only the cat.

Now how do you think the cat used to help John to live? She used to take a bag with a string around the top and place it with some cheese in the bushes, and when a hare or a partridge would come and try to get the piece of cheese -- snap! Miss Puss would draw the string and there was the hare or partridge for Master Jack to eat.

One day two hares happened to rush into the bag at the same time. So the cat, after giving one to Jack, took the other and went with it to the king's palace. And when she came outside the palace gate she cried out, "Miaou."

The sentry at the gate came to see what was the matter. Miss Puss gave him the hare with a bow and said: "Give this to the king with the compliments of the Earl of Cattenborough."

The king liked jugged hare very much and was glad to get such a fine present.

Shortly after this Miss Puss found a gold coin rolling in the dirt. And she went up to the palace and asked the sentry if he would lend her a corn measure. The sentry asked who wanted it.

And Puss said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough."

So the sentry gave her the corn measure. And a little while afterwards she took it back with the gold coin, which she had found, fixed in a crack in the corn measure.

So the king was told that the Earl of Cattenborough measured his gold in a corn measure. When the king heard this he told the sentry that if such a thing happened again he was to deliver a message asking the Earl to come and stop at the palace.

Some time after the cat caught two partridges, and took one of them to the palace.

And when she called out, "Miaou," and presented it to the sentry, in the name of the Earl of Cattenborough, the sentry told her that the king wished to see the Earl at his palace.

So Puss went back to Jack and said to him: "The king desires to see the Earl of Cattenborough at his palace."

"What is that to do with me?" said Jack.

"Oh, you can be the Earl of Cattenborough if you like. I'll help you."

"But I have no clothes, and they'll soon find out what I am when I talk."

"As for that," said Miss Puss, "I'll get you proper clothes if you do what I tell you; and when you come to the palace I will see that you do not make any mistakes."

So next day she told Jack to take off his clothes and hide them under a big stone and dip himself into the river.

And while he was doing this she went up to the palace gate and said: "Miaou, miaou, miaou!"

And when the sentry came to the gate she said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough, has been robbed of all he possessed, even of his clothes, and he is hiding in the bramble bush by the side of the river. What is to be done? What is to be done?"

The sentry went and told the king. And the king gave orders that a suitable suit of clothes, worthy of an Earl, should be sent to Master Jack, who soon put them on and went to the king's palace accompanied by Puss. When they got there they were introduced into the chamber of the king, who thanked Jack for his kind presents.

Miss Puss stood forward and said: "My Master, the Earl of Cattenborough, desires to state to your Majesty that there is no need of any thanks for such trifles."

The king thought it was very grand of Jack not to speak directly to him, and summoned his lord chamberlain, and from that time onward only spoke through him.

Thus, when they sat down to dinner with the queen and the princess, the king would say to his chamberlain, "Will the Earl of Cattenborough take a potato?"

Whereupon Miss Puss would bow and say: "The Earl of Cattenborough thanks his Majesty and would be glad to partake of a potato."

The king was so much struck by Jack's riches and grandeur, and the princess was so pleased with his good looks and fine dress that it was determined that he should marry the princess.

But the king thought he would try and see if he were really so nobly born and bred as he seemed. So he told his servants to put a mean truckle bed in the room in which Jack was to sleep, knowing that no noble would put up with such a thing.

When Miss Puss saw this bed she at once guessed what was up. And when Jack began to undress to get into bed, she made him stop, and called the attendants to say that he could not sleep in such a bed.

So they took him into another bedroom, where there was a fine four-poster with a dais, and everything worthy of a noble to sleep upon. Then the king became sure that Jack was a real noble, and married him soon to his daughter the princess.

After the wedding feast was over the king told Jack that he and the queen and the princess would come with him to his castle of Cattenborough, and Jack did not know what to do. But Miss Puss told him it would be all right if he only didn't speak much while on the journey. And that suited Jack very well.

So they all set out in a carriage with four horses, and with the king's life-guards riding around it.

But Miss Puss ran on in front of the carriage, and when she came to a field where men were mowing down the hay she pointed to the life-guards riding along, and said: "Men, if you do not say that this field belongs to the Earl of Cattenborough those soldiers will cut you to pieces with their swords."

So when the carriage came along the king called one of the men to the side of it and said, "Whose is this field?"

And the man said, "It belongs to the Earl of Cattenborough."

And the king turned to his son-in-law and said, "I did not know that you had estates so near us."

And Jack said, "I had forgotten it myself."

And this only confirmed the king in his idea about Jack's great wealth.

A little farther on there was another great field in which men were raking hay. And Miss Puss spoke to them as before. So, when the carriage came up, they also declared that this field belonged to the Earl of Cattenborough. And so it went on through the whole drive.

Then the king said, "Let us now go to your castle."

Then Jack looked at Miss Puss, and she said: "If your Majesty will but wait an hour I will go on before and order the castle to be made ready for you."

With that she jumped away and went to the castle of a great ogre and asked to see him.

When she came into his presence she said: " I have come to give you warning. The king with all his army is coming to the castle and will batter its walls down and kill you if he finds you here."

"What shall I do? What shall I do?" said the ogre.

"Is there no place where you can hide yourself?"

"I am too big to hide," said the ogre, but my mother gave me a powder, and when I take that I can make myself as small as I like."

"Well, why not take it now?" said the cat.

And with that he took the powder and shrunk into a little body no bigger than a mouse. And thereupon Miss Puss jumped upon him and ate him all up, and then went down into the great yard of the castle and told the guards that it now belonged to her Master the Earl of Cattenborough. Then she ordered them to open the gates and let in the king's carriage, which came along just then.

The king was delighted to find what a fine castle his son-in-law possessed, and left his daughter the princess with him at the castle while he drove back to his own palace. And Jack and the princess lived happily in the castle.

But one day Miss Puss felt very ill and lay down as if dead, and the chamberlain of the castle went to Jack and said: "My lord, your cat is dead."

And Jack said: "Well, throw her out on the dunghill."

But Miss Puss, when she heard it, called out: "Had you not better throw me into the mill stream?"

And Jack remembered where he had come from and was frightened that the cat would say. So he ordered the physician of the castle to attend to her, and ever after gave her whatever she wanted.

And when the king died he succeeded him, and that was the end of the Earl of Cattenborough.

 

    Source (books.google.com): Joseph Jacobs Europa's Fairy Book: Restored and Retold (New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1916), no. 11, pp. 90-97.

    Source (Internet Archive): Joseph Jacobs Europa's Fairy Book: Restored and Retold (New York and London: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1916), no. 11, pp. 90-97.