Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/374

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So he that was left in the basket,

Without a crumb to chew,

Or a thread to wrap himself withal,

When the wind across him blew,

Pulled one of the rugs from one of the bugs;

And so the quarrel grew!

And so there was war in the basket,

Ah, pity 'tis, 'tis true!

But he that was frozen and starved at last

A strength from his weakness drew,

And pulled the rugs from both of the bugs,

And killed and ate them, too!

(Alice Cary.)

  LITTLE chick one day

Asked leave to go on the water,

Where she saw a duck and her brood at play,

Swimming and splashing about her.

Indeed she began to peep and cry

When her mother wouldn't let her;

"If the ducks can swim there, why can't I?

Are they any bigger or better?"

Then the old hen answered: "Listen to me,

And hush your foolish talking;

Just look at your feet and you will see

They were only made for walking."

