BOY (handing the king his whip):  Well, then, be careful.  Watch the “court gander.”

(Boy walks on a few feet, then hurries back.)

KING:  What’s the matter now?

BOY:  Crack the whip!

(King tries but fails.)

BOY:  Just as I thought.  Here, this way!  Can’t you see?  You are stupid!

KING:  Just let me try once more.

(King tries.)

BOY:  Well, that did pretty well.

(Moves off muttering.)

He is as big a goose as any in the flock.

ACT II

KING (lying on the ground and laughing so that the tears run down his cheeks):  Oh, but this is fine!  First I was fat and old.  Now I am as big a goose as any in the flock.  What would my courtiers say?

(Springing up suddenly.)

Look at that “court gander”!  There he goes with the whole flock.

(He dashes wildly after the geese and tries to crack the whip, but cannot.)

Now they are in the meadow; what will the boy say?

(Boy returns and sees the geese in the meadow; the king looks ashamed.)

BOY:  Just as I expected.  I have found the book, but you have lost the geese.  What a time I shall have trying to find them!

KING:  Never mind; I will help you get them together again.

[Illustration:  The king and the boy look for the geese]

BOY:  Humph!  Much help you’ll be.  But go there by that stump and don’t let the geese pass you.  Wave your arms at them and shout at them.  Surely you can do that!

KING:  I’ll try.

ACT III

Boy:  Well, they are back again!  Thanks to goodness, but none to you. 
What can you do?

KING:  Pray excuse me for not doing any better, but you see, I am not used to work.  I am the king.

BOY:  I was a simpleton to trust you with the geese; but I am not such a simpleton as to believe that you are the king.

KING:  Just as you will.  You are a good lad.  Here is another gold coin as a peace offering.  Good-day.

BOY (as king walks away):  He is a kind gentleman, whoever he may be; but take my word for it, he will never make a gooseherd.

—­OLD TALE.

DONAL AND CONAL

I

There was once in old Ireland a very fine lad by the name of Donal.  He was not only a very fine lad, but a very gay lad.  He would go for miles to a party or a wedding; and he was always welcome, for Donal knew where to wear his smile.  He wore it on his face instead of keeping it in his pocket.

The dearest wish of Donal’s heart no one knew but himself.  His soul was full of music, and he longed to have a violin.

One night Donal was going home through a dark forest when a storm came up.  He found an old hollow tree and got inside of it to keep dry.  Soon he fell asleep.