How the Hyenas Hunted
One day Bodo and One-Ear climbed a fir tree near the edge of a cliff.
They were watching a big-nosed rhinoceros.
It had just rooted up an oak tree with its twin-tusked snout.
Now it was tearing the trunk into strips as we tear a stalk of celery.
The boys watched it grinding the wood with its great teeth.
The big-nosed rhinoceros
They were glad that they were safe in the fir tree.
They watched the creature in silence.
Suddenly Bodo gave One-Ear a nudge.
One-Ear looked up.
Bodo put his finger on his lips, then pointed toward the underbrush.
One-Ear stared with open mouth.
A whole pack of hyenas was on the cliff.
They were sneaking along toward the rhinoceros.
What hungry-looking creatures they were!
How their eyes gleamed!
The boys wondered what the hyenas would do.
They watched to see.
The big-nosed rhinoceros went stupidly browsing along the edge of the cliff.
He did not see the hyenas.
The hyenas had learned that the rhinoceros could not see far away, and now they were taking advantage of this.
They were too cowardly to risk a fair fight.
Even the mammoth and sabre-tooth did not like to encounter the big-nosed rhinoceros.
Even they could not pierce his thick, heavy skin.
Even they feared his twin-tusked snout.
The hyenas crept softly from bush to bush.
They kept their eyes fastened upon the rhinoceros.
As he stepped on the very edge of the cliff they sprang out and began to growl.
|
“He tossed one of the hyenas over the cliff” |
The rhinoceros turned fiercely upon them.
He tossed one of the hyenas over the cliff.
As he did this he lost his footing.
The huge creature stumbled and fell.
He rolled down the steep cliff and was dashed upon the rocks.
The hyenas were no longer afraid.
They feasted upon the carcass.
They dragged the bones to their caves.
They gnawed them until they left the marks of their teeth.
The bones stayed in the caves for many years.
Not long ago some one found them there.
He sent them to a museum, where they may be seen to-day.
Perhaps you will go to the museum some time.
If you do, be sure and look at these bones.
Perhaps you will be able to help your friends read the story they tell.