hen you are bigger, we
will go a little journey together.'

But Medio Pollito had made up his mind, and he would not listen to his
mother's advice, nor to the prayers and entreaties of his brothers and
sisters.

'What is the use of our all crowding each other up in this poky little
place?' he said. 'When I have a fine courtyard of my own at the King's
palace, I shall perhaps ask some of you to come and pay me a short
visit,' and scarcely waiting to say good-bye to his family, away he
stumped down the high road that led to Madrid.

'Be sure that you are kind and civil to everyone you meet,' called his
mother, running after him; but he was in such a hurry to be off, that he
did not wait to answer her, or even to look back.

A little later in the day, as he was taking a short cut through a field,
he passed a stream. Now the stream was all choked up, and overgrown with
weeds and water-plants, so that its waters could not flow freely.

'Oh! Medio Pollito,' it cried, as the half-chick hopped along its banks,
'do come and help me by clearing away these weeds.'

'Help you, indeed!' exclaimed Medio Pollito, tossing his head, and
shaking the few feathers in his tail. 'Do you think I have nothing to do
but to waste my time on such trifles? Help yourself, and don't trouble
busy travellers. I am off to Madrid to see the King,' and hoppity-kick,
hoppity-kick, away stumped Medio Pollito.

A little later he came to a fire that had been left by some gipsies in a
wood. It was burning very low, and would soon be out.

'Oh! Medio Pollito,' cried the fire, in a weak, wavering voice as the
half-chick approached, 'in a few minutes I shall go quite out, unless
you put some sticks and dry leaves upon me. Do help me, or I shall die!'

'Help you, indeed!' answered Medio Pollito. 'I have other things to do.
Gather sticks for yourself, and don't trouble me. I am off to Madrid
to see the King,' and hoppity-kick, hoppity-kick, away stumped Medio
Pollito.

The next morning, as he was getting near Madrid, he passed a large
chestnut tree, in whose branches the wind was caught and entangled. 'Oh!
Medio Pollito,' called the wind, 'do hop up here, and help me to get
free of these branches. I cannot come away, and it is so uncomfortable.'

'It is your own fault for going there,' answered Medio Pollito. 'I can't
waste all my morning stopping here to help you. Just shake yourself
off, and don't hinder me, for I am off to Madrid to see the King,' a