s--Q. E. D."

The Crane was rather taken aback by this speech, and, not comprehending
it, he felt somewhat humbled. At length he said:

"_I_ am no philosopher, but as they say 'the proof of the pudding is in
the eating of it,' I am willing at any time to run a foot-race with you,
and so prove who is the more agile."

"I do not know," answered the Stork, meditatively, "whether my family
would altogether approve of my entering into the lists with such a
vulgar creature as yourself." Here he shut one eye, and looked
reflectively with the other at a frog that sat on a tussock near by.
"Still, I recollect that one of my ancestors proved his valor upon a
turbulent duckling once, so I see no logical reason why I should not
compete with you."

And so the matter was settled.

All was hubbub and excitement among the birds when the coming race was
announced. The racecourse was so constructed that the larger birds stood
upon one side, and the smaller birds and animals upon the other. This
was so arranged, chiefly at the request of a deputy of frogs, because,
at a mass meeting once, an albatross had eaten twenty-seven of these
animals in a fit of absent-mindedness, as he said. Still the frogs
desired to prevent the recurrence of so painful a scene.

[Illustration: "THE STORK WAS AHEAD!"]

The Cassowary was chosen director of the race, chiefly because he was a
famous traveler as well as a pedestrian himself, and so was a judge of
such matters. He was the same of whom the Gander, the poet-laureate, had
written the poem commencing--

"It was a noble cassowary,
On the plains of Timbuctoo,
That gobbled up a missionary
Body, bones, and hymn-book too."

All were assembled. The champions stood neck to neck, while the
spectators looked on, breathless with excitement.

"Go!" cried the Cassowary, and they went.

For a long time they continued neck and neck, and the excitement rose to
fever heat. At this juncture a mouse attempted to cross the racecourse,
and was instantly devoured by an owl, who acted as police of the course.
At length the two racers re-appeared coming toward the grand
stand,--that is, the place where the Cassowary stood with the signal-gun
or, rather, pistol. The shouts and cries became more agitated and
violent; there was no doubt about it,--_the Stork was ahead_! It was in
vain that the gallant little Crane strained every sinew; the Stork came
into the stand a good three lengths ahead of h