ard on the big wagon, that it could
not roll down hill any more. Instead, it began to roll back up the hill,
as Tum Tum pushed on it.
"That's the way to do it, Tum Tum!" cried the elephant's keeper. "I knew
you could do it. Come on now, old fellow. Push the cage right back where
it belongs."
Tum Tum did so. Soon the tiger's cage was in line with those of the
lions, wolves, bears and other animals, ready for the circus to begin.
"Oh, but I'm glad the tiger didn't get loose," said Mappo, to Tum Tum.
"I was so afraid!"
"Why were you afraid?" the big elephant wanted to know.
"Oh, because Sharp Tooth, the tiger, does not like me. I am sure he
would bite me, if he got loose."
"Why would he do that?" asked Tum Tum.
"Because I would not let him out of his cage, when he and I were caught
in the jungle," answered the monkey.
Then he told about the time Sharp Tooth had tried to get out of his
cage.
"Never fear, Mappo," said Tum Tum. "I'll not let Sharp Tooth hurt you as
long as I am around."
"Thank you," said Mappo.
For several days after this the circus went from town to town, traveling
after dark each night, so as to be ready to give a show in the day-time.
One day Sharp Tooth, the tiger, spoke to Tum Tum as the elephant was
passing the cage.
"Why did you stop my wagon from rolling down hill, Tum Tum?" asked the
tiger.
"Because I did not want to see it smashed, and see you thrown out, Sharp
Tooth," answered Tum Tum.
"But that is just what I wanted to do--get out," spoke the tiger. "I
want to get loose! I am tired of staying in the cage!"
"But if you got out, you might bite someone," went on Tum Tum.
"Yes, that is just what I would do," growled the tiger. "I would bite
and scratch until the men would be glad to let me go back to my jungle
again. I am mad at you for not letting my cage run on. If you had, I
would now be free."
"Well, I am glad you are not free," said Tum Tum, as he looked at the
sharp teeth and sharp claws of the tiger, and thought of little Mappo.
"Then I am mad at you, and I am going to stay mad," said the tiger, and
he sulked in his cage.
Tum Tum was not very much afraid of the tiger now, even though he knew
the bad animal might some day get loose and scratch him.
"I don't believe Sharp Tooth will ever get out," said Tum Tum to
himself.
The big elephant had good times in the circus. He had to do only a few
tricks in the afternoon, and some more in the evening.
|