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 So the rat tried next, and he made a mighty effort, and jumped two hand-breadths, and then he too fell back into the valley.

Alter that every sort of animal jumped in turn, the otter, and the badger, the fox, and the wolf, and the bear, and though each one jumped as high as he could, he jumped only against the side of the rock, and went tumbling back into the valley.

Last of all came the lion. With a mighty roar he sprang—but it was of no use: he too struck the side of the great rock and fell back with the others.

They were about to give up and go back to their homes in the river and in the forest, when a tiny measuring-worm came creeping over the grass. "By your leave," she said quite humbly, addressing the lion, "I should like to try and see what I can do."

"Ho-ho," laughed all the animals together. "Ho-ho!"

But without waiting for their consent, the measuring-worm made her way slowly to the foot of the great rock, and then, little by little, little by little, she drew herself up, up, up the side of the mighty rock.