spinning
her web.

The spider was trying to spin a thread from one beam of the cottage to
another. It was a long way between the beams, and Bruce saw how hard a
thing it was for her to do.

"She can never do it," thought the king.

The little spider tried it once and failed She tried it twice and
failed. The king counted each time. At length she had tried it six times
and had failed each time.

"She is like me," thought the king. "I have tried six battles and
failed. She has tried six times to reach the beam and failed."

Then starting up from the straw, he cried, "I will hang my fate upon
that little spider.

If she swings the seventh time and fails, then I will give up all for
lost. If she swings the seventh time and wins, I will call my men
together once more for a battle with the enemy."

The spider tried the seventh time, letting herself down upon her slender
thread. She swung out bravely.

"Look! look!" shouted the king. "She has reached it. The thread hangs
between the two beams. If the spider can do it, I can do it."

Bruce got up from the straw with new strength and sent his men from
village to village, calling the people to arms.

The brave soldiers answered his call and came trooping in.

At length his army was ready to fight, and when the king led them in a
great battle against the enemy, this time, like the spider, Bruce won.

_Scottish Tradition_

[Illustration]

THE WISE LITTLE PIG

Where are you going, you little pig?
"I'm leaving my mother, I'm growing so big."
So big, young pig!
So young, so big!
What! leaving your mother, you foolish young pig?

Where are you going, you little pig?
"I've got a new spade, and I'm going to dig."
To dig, little pig!
A little pig dig!
Well, I never saw a pig with a spade, that could dig!

Where are you going, you little pig?
"I'm going to have a nice ride in a gig."
In a gig, little pig!
What! a pig in a gig!
Well, I never yet saw a pig ride in a gig!

Where are you going, you little pig?
"I'm going to the barber's to buy me a wig."
A wig, little pig!
A pig in a wig!
Why, whoever before saw a pig in a wig?

Where are you going, you little pig?
"I'm going to the ball to dance a fine jig."
A jig, little pig!
A pig dance