"As yet, in the infancy of science," replied the woodpecker, "I am quite unable to do so. Some naturalists affirm that I hide acorns in these pits; others maintain that I get worms out of them. I endeavoured for some time to reconcile the two theories; but the worms ate my acorns, and then would not come out. Since then, I have left science to work out its own problems, while I work out the holes. I hope the final decision may be in some way advantageous to me; for at my nest I have a number of prepared holes which I can hammer into some suitable tree at a moment's notice. Perhaps I could insert a few into the scientific head."
"No-o-o," said the robin, reflectively, "I should think not. A prepared hole is an idea; I don't think it could get in."
MORAL.—It might be driven in with a steam-hammer.
CIII.
"Are you going to this great hop?" inquired a spruce cricket of a labouring beetle.
"No," replied he, sadly, "I've got to attend this great ball."
"Blest if I know the difference," drawled a more offensive insect, with his head in an empty silk hat; "and I've been in society all my life. But why was I not invited to either hop or ball?"
He is now invited to the latter.
CIV.
"Too bad, too bad," said a young Abyssinian to a yawning hippopotamus.