“If I had known how to walk I should have stepped back a few steps when I saw those bright little eyes, but I never ventured to lift a paw from the earth since my Mother had first set me down, nor did I know how to do so, or what were the proper thoughts or motions to begin with.  So I stood looking at the eyes and presently I saw that the head was yellow and that it had a large mouth.  ’What you have just seen,’ said my Mother, ’we call a snail; and what you now see is a frog.’  The names however did not help me at all to understand.  Why the first should have turned from my paw so suddenly and why this creature should continue to stare up at me in such a manner I could not conceive.  I expected however that it would soon come slowly crawling forth and then I should see whether it would also avoid me in the same manner.  I now observed that its body and breast were double some-how, and that its paws were very large for its size, but had no hair upon them, which I thought was probably occasioned by its slow crawling having rubbed it all off.  I had scarcely made these observations and reflections, when a beam of bright light breaking through the trees, the creature suddenly gave a great hop right up under my nose; and I, thinking the world was at an end, instantly fell flat down on one side and lay there waiting!”—­

With this glimpse of an old-time modern animal tale we shall have to say with “Mr. Titmarsh,” “Those who wish to know more about him must buy the book for themselves,”—­and add:  Or they must get some enterprising publisher to reprint it.

A Few Romantic Tales[16]

Puss-in-Boots and Lord Peter

Puss-in-Boots, a romantic tale suited to the first grade, delights with its strong sense of adventure and of the heroic.  Puss is a Master-Cat, a hero clever and quick, and with fine imagination to see what would happen and prepare for it.  He is successful, combining initiative and motivation delightfully.  His devotion to his master seems like disinterested loyalty, love, and sacrifice.  While it is true the plot is based on a lie, the moral effect is not bad because we recognize Puss as a match-making character similar to the matchmaking Jackal of India; and in love “all is fair.”  Moreover Puss-in-Boots was only true to his cat-nature in playing a trick, and we admire the cleverness of his trick in behalf of a master really deserving.  The underlying philosophy of the tale, “That there is a power in making the best with what you possess,” appeals to all, and has the ability to lend dignity and force to the light intrigue of the tale.

The setting in Puss-in-Boots gives a touch of nature beauty.  First we have the Miller’s poor home, and from there we are led in succession to the brambles through which Puss scampered; the rabbits’ warren where he lay in waiting to bag the heedless rabbits; the palace to which he took the rabbits caught by the Marquis of Carabas; the cornfield where he bagged the partridges; the river-side where the Marquis bathed; the meadow where the countrymen were mowing; the cornfields where the good people were reaping; until at last we are escorted to the stately castle where the Ogre dwelt.