ally resented the discernible thoughts in the minds of his
comrades of many a hard-fought battle. But a calmness made him forgetful
of all this for he knew that at last, in a moment of the supreme test,
he had conquered that which had been his master throughout all of his
life--his temper. All the slurs and coldness in the world could not rob
him of the satisfaction of this.
THE DOG AND THE CLEVER RABBIT
A. O. STAFFORD
There were many days when the animals did not think about the kingship.
They thought of their games and their tricks, and would play them from
the rising to the setting of the sun.
Now, at that time, the little rabbit was known as a very clever fellow.
His tricks, his schemes, and his funny little ways caused much mischief
and at times much anger among his woodland cousins.
At last the wolf made up his mind to catch him and give him a severe
punishment for the many tricks he had played upon him.
Knowing that the rabbit could run faster than he, the wolf called at the
home of the dog to seek his aid. "Brother dog, frisky little rabbit must
be caught and punished. For a nice bone will you help me?" asked the
wolf.
"Certainly, my good friend," answered the dog, thinking of the promised
bone.
"Be very careful, the rabbit is very clever," said the wolf as he left.
A day or so later while passing through the woods the dog saw the rabbit
frisking in the tall grass. Quick as a flash the dog started after him.
The little fellow ran and, to save himself, jumped into the hollow of an
oak tree. The opening was too small for the other to follow and as he
looked in he heard only the merry laugh of the frisky rabbit, "Hee, hee!
hello, Mr. Dog, you can't see me."
"Never mind, boy, I will get you yet," barked the angry dog.
A short distance from the tree a goose was seen moving around looking
for her dinner.
"Come, friend goose, watch the hollow of this tree while I go and get
some moss and fire to smoke out this scamp of a rabbit," spoke the dog,
remembering the advice of the wolf.
"Of course I'll watch, for he has played many of his schemes upon me,"
returned the bird.
When the dog left, the rabbit called out from his hiding place, "How can
you watch, friend goose, when you can't see me?"
"Well, I will see you then," she replied. With these words she pushed
her long neck into the hollow of the tree. As the neck of the goose went
into the opening the rabbit threw the dust of some
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