DOGS THAT ALMOST TALK
| human | scratched | tinkled | begged |
| humble | drowning | cottage | wagged |
It seems as if our friend the dog can talk without using words. He not only makes other dogs understand him, but he also makes his wants known to his master.
A little dog named Rudy was once taken to the city. One day he lost his way in the streets and did not come home at night.
The next morning, as Rudy's master was looking out of the window, he saw his little dog coming along the street with two other dogs.
The strangers left Rudy at his own door, and then went away. As they left they seemed to say, "Good-by." But how did Rudy ask the other dogs to show him the way home? This we should like to know.
Another dog called Prince often asked in his own way to be let out of doors. But when he returned he could not always get into the house again.
The bell was too high for Prince to reach it or he might have learned to ring it. As he could not do this he found another way to get in. A little girl who lived near by often played with him. He ran to her and begged until she saw what he wanted. This he did day after day.
After the little girl had rung the bell for him, Prince never forgot to thank her. He jumped around her and wagged his tail to show his pleasure.
One day Prince could not find his little friend. So he begged a man who was passing by to ring the bell. It was some time before the man could understand what the dog wanted. But at last the bell tinkled, the door was opened, and Prince ran into the house.
A faithful dog never forgets those he loves. Sometimes he proves to be a good friend in time of great need.
One night a fire broke out in a shed close by a little cottage. The watchdog saw the flames. He ran to the cottage and began to scratch the door with his paws. He scratched and howled until he woke the family.
After the fire had been put out the children put their arms around the faithful dog. They patted him and thanked him for saving their lives. They treated him as if he were a human being instead of only a dog.
There are many true stories about dogs that have saved the lives of children. A great artist has painted a beautiful picture of one of these noble animals.
A dog has jumped into the sea and saved a child from drowning. He has caught the child's clothes in his strong jaws, and has brought her to the shore.
See, he is almost too tired to climb up beside her! There she lies on his big paws. He seems to be waiting for help. Does he not look as if he could speak?
The artist who painted this picture was a great friend of dogs. His name was Edwin Landseer. He has made hundreds of paintings of his humble friends. Many of the dogs in his pictures look as if they could talk.
[A LITTLE GIRL'S FANCIES]
O little flowers, you love me so,
You could not do without me;
O little birds that come and go,
You sing sweet songs about me;
O little moss, observed by few,
That round the tree is creeping,
You like my head to rest on you,
When I am idly sleeping.
O rushes by the river side,
You bow when I come near you;
O fish, you leap about with pride,
Because you think I hear you;
O river, you shine clear and bright,
To tempt me to look in you;
O water lilies, pure and white,
You hope that I shall win you.
O pretty things, you love me so,
I see I must not leave you;
You'd find it very dull, I know,
I should not like to grieve you.
[A BOY'S WISHES]
Ring-ting! I wish I were a primrose,
A bright yellow primrose, blooming in the spring!
The stooping bough above me,
The wandering bee to love me,
The fern and moss to creep across,
And the elm tree for our king!
Nay, stay! I wish I were an elm tree,
A great, lofty elm tree with green leaves gay!
The winds would set them dancing,
The sun and moonshine glance in,
And birds would house among the boughs,
And sweetly sing.
Oh, no! I wish I were a robin—
A robin, or a little wren, everywhere to go,
Through forest, field, or garden,
And ask no leave or pardon,
Till winter comes, with icy thumbs,
To ruffle up our wing!
—William Allingham.
[ROLLO AND GEORGE]
| scream | frightened | directly | treat |
| hurting | frightening | opposite | harsh |
| pushing | wheelbarrow | enemies | tomtit |
One day Rollo and his playmate, George Cropwell, were running along the road, pushing their little wheelbarrows.
Just as they came near George's home they saw before them a little boy much smaller than Rollo. He was ragged and barefooted.
"There is Tom," said George. "See how I will frighten him."
As he said this, George rolled his wheelbarrow directly toward Tom as if he were going to run over him. Tom was very much frightened and began to scream.
Just at that moment Farmer Cropwell happened to be coming up the lane on the opposite side of the road. He called out,—
"George!"
George stopped his wheelbarrow.
"Is that right?" said the farmer.
"Why, I was not going to hurt him," said George.
"You did hurt him,—you frightened him."
"Is frightening him hurting him, father?"
"Why, yes; it is giving pain, and a very unpleasant kind of pain, too."
"I did not think of that," said George.
"Besides," said his father, "when you treat boys in that harsh, rough way you make them your enemies. And it is a very bad plan to make enemies."
"Enemies, father!" said George, laughing; "Tom could not do me any harm if he were my enemy."
"That makes me think of the story of the bear and the tomtit," said the farmer. "If you and Rollo will jump into the cart I will tell it to you."
—Jacob Abbott.