Although the rat’s work takes him into the foulest places, he always keeps himself neat and tidy.  To wash his coat he uses his tongue and paws in the same way that a cat uses hers, and he invariably takes such a bath after he has been eating or working.

Rats are disliked and hunted by men, yet they often shield our homes from the danger of disease.  When rats infest a place it is proof that there is work for them to do, and though they may easily become a plague, we should remember that it was probably our own carelessness which first brought them.

The intelligence shown by rats is remarkable.  They have frequently been known to carry eggs up and down stairs in their paws; one rat pushing the egg and others receiving it.  It happened, one day, that a trap was set and carefully watched.  A young rat was about to step upon the fatal spring, when the watcher saw an old rat rush to the rescue.  The little one was seized by the tail and promptly dragged off to his hole.  Probably he was told to be less reckless in future.

Rats have great courage and devotion, as many stories prove.  Once, when some rats were being driven from a ship, a young rat was seen carefully making its way along a rope, with an old and feeble rat upon its back.  It shrank from the stick in a seaman’s hand, and it might easily have saved its own life if it had been willing to leave its companion.  Instead of running away, however, it went on bravely and carefully in the face of danger.  The gallant animal was allowed to reach a place of safety, amid the cheers of the crew, who knew how to appreciate such devotion and sacrifice.

Rats are said to become warmly attached to the friends who care for them.  A minister had a pet rat which liked to sit on his desk.  One day, having poked its nose into the ink-bottle, the rat was in evident discomfort in consequence.  The minister went for a saucer of water, saying, “There, wash your face!” The neat little fellow carefully scrubbed its inky nose, first with one paw and then with the other, holding up at last a clean and satisfied face for its friend’s inspection.

While rats may be useful and brave and wise, they are not good housemates.  Cleanliness and care, however, are usually sufficient to keep them out of houses and storerooms, and a good cat makes an excellent policeman.  In our wish to be rid of the company of the rats there is no excuse for treating them with cruelty.

THE SQUIRREL’S STORY.

Do you know who planted that little butternut tree in the field?  I planted it; I, a tiny gray squirrel.

To tell the truth, I did not think of setting out a tree when I dropped my nut in the ground.  I meant to leave it in a safe place until I was ready to eat it, and I forgot where it was.  The first thing I knew it was sending up a fine green shoot through the loose earth.

I suppose you think I steal your nuts.  Please remember that I plant nut trees, too.  That ought to be put down to my credit.