Page:Stories and story-telling (1915).djvu/277

 saw. It was Mrs. Vixen, a mother fox, and her children.

The mother lay on her back, rolling about, and stretching out her legs and head and tail in the bright sunshine. The cubs jumped over her, and ran around her, and nibbled her paws, and lugged her about by the tail, and she enjoyed it mightily.

But one selfish little fellow put an end to all the fun. He stole away from the rest to a dead crow close by, and dragged it off to hide it, though it was nearly as big as himself. His brothers caught him at it and set off after him in full cry. Before they knew it they were seen by a man. They left the dead crow and ran back to tell their mother.

Up jumped Mrs. Vixen. She caught the smallest one up in her mouth, and the rest toddled after her. Soon she had them safe at home in a dark opening in the rocks. But the fun was over for that day.

—From

THE FOOLISH HOOP

"Why do you strike me and hold me in?" cried the hoop to the stick.

"Shall I let you go?" asked the stick.

"Do," said the hoop; "I do not need your guidance."

"Very well," said the stick. And she let him go. Down the street rolled the hoop. Fast and faster