t the Hare to himself; but presently he called out, "Once,
twice, and off again;" and away he went as fast as possible, leaving the
Hedgehog quietly sitting in her place. "I am here before you," cried
Mr. Hedgehog, as soon as the Hare approached. "What! again?" exclaimed
the Hare in a rage; and added, "Will you dare another trial!" "Oh! as
many as you like; do not be afraid on my account," said Mr. Hedgehog,
courteously.

So the Hare then ran backwards and forwards three-and-seventy times, but
each time the Hedgehogs had the advantage of him, for either Mr. or Mrs.
shouted before he could reach the goal, "Here I am already!"

The four-and-seventieth time the Hare was unable to run any more. In the
middle of the course he stopped and dropped down quite exhausted, and
there he lay motionless for some time. But the Hedgehog took the louis
d'or which he had won, and went composedly home with his Wife.

THE WEE ROBIN'S CHRISTMAS SONG

A SCOTCH STORY, ATTRIBUTED TO ROBERT BURNS

ADAPTED BY JENNIE ELLIS BURDICK

There was an old gray Pussy Cat, and she went away down by a brookside.
There she saw a wee Robin Redbreast hopping on a brier bush.

Says the gray Pussy Cat: "Where are you going, wee Robin?"

And the wee Robin makes answer: "I'm going away to the King to sing him
a song this glad Christmas morning."

And the gray Pussy Cat says, "Come here, wee Robin, and I'll let you see
a pretty white ring I have around my neck."

But the wee Robin says: "No, no! gray Pussy Cat, no, no! You worried the
wee mousie, but you cannot worry me!"

So the wee Robin flew away until he came to a wall of earth and grass,
and there he saw a gray greedy Hawk sitting.

And the gray greedy Hawk says: "Where are you going, wee Robin?"

And the wee Robin makes answer: "I'm going away to the King to sing him
a song this glad Christmas morning."

And the gray greedy Hawk says: "Come here, wee Robin, and I'll let you
see the bright feather in my wing."

[Illustration: WEE ROBIN AND THE OLD GRAY PUSSY CAT]

But wee Robin says: "No, no! gray greedy Hawk, no, no! You pecked the
little Meadowlark, but you cannot peck me!"

So the wee Robin flew away until he came to a steep, rocky hillside, and
there he saw a sly Fox sitting. And the sly Fox says, "Where are you
going, wee Robin?"

And the wee Robin makes answer: "I'm going away to the King to sing him
a song this glad Christmas morning."

And the sly Fox says: "Come here, wee R