e wants to
talk about oneself, as I do. It is what I call selfishness, and
selfishness is a most detestable thing, especially to any one of my
temperament, for I am well known for my sympathetic nature. In fact, you
should take example by me; you could not possibly have a better model.
Now that you have the chance you had better avail yourself of it, for I
am going back to Court almost immediately. I am a great favourite at
Court; in fact, the Prince and Princess were married yesterday in my
honour. Of course you know nothing of these matters, for you are a
provincial."

"There is no good talking to him," said a dragon-fly, who was sitting on
the top of a large brown bulrush; "no good at all, for he has gone
away."

"Well, that is his loss, not mine," answered the Rocket. "I am not going
to stop talking to him merely because he pays no attention. I like
hearing myself talk. It is one of my greatest pleasures. I often have
long conversations all by myself, and I am so clever that sometimes I
don't understand a single word of what I am saying."

"Then you should certainly lecture on Philosophy," said the Dragon-fly,
and he spread a pair of lovely gauze wings and soared away into the sky.

"How very silly of him not to stay here!" said the Rocket. "I am sure
that he has not often got such a chance of improving his mind. However,
I don't care a bit. Genius like mine is sure to be appreciated some
day;" and he sank down a little deeper into the mud.

After some time a large White Duck swam up to him. She had yellow legs,
and webbed feet, and was considered a great beauty on account of her
waddle.

"Quack, quack, quack," she said. "What a curious shape you are! May I
ask were you born like that, or is it the result of an accident?"

"It is quite evident that you have always lived in the country,"
answered the Rocket, "otherwise you would know who I am. However,
I excuse your ignorance. It would be unfair to expect other people to be
as remarkable as oneself. You will no doubt be surprised to hear that I
can fly up into the sky, and come down in a shower of golden rain."

"I don't think much of that," said the Duck, "as I cannot see what use
it is to any one. Now, if you could plough the fields like the ox, or
draw a cart like the horse, or look after the sheep like the collie-dog,
that would be something."

"My good creature," cried the Rocket in a very haughty tone of voice,
"I see that you belong to the lower ord