Puss felt rather crestfallen. To be corrected by a donkey, generally considered one of the stupidest of animals, was not at all to his liking. Puss evidently forgot for the moment that all Mother Goose animals are very intelligent, for otherwise how would they have been celebrated in rhyme? But, like a wise cat, he took the rebuke meekly and said nothing.
"Well," said the donkey, after a pause, "can I do anything else for you, Sir Cat? Granting that it is too late to wake the morn, there may be other requests with which I will gladly comply."
"Gracious me!" thought Puss to himself, "he uses big words."
The donkey cocked up both ears as if awaiting Puss, Jr.'s, reply.
"Which is the shorter road across Mother Goose Land?" inquired Puss.
"I don't know the exact number of miles," replied the donkey, thoughtfully, "but the road to your left is the shorter. The one to your right leads to the seashore. Gingerbread Bridge is at the ending."
"What!" exclaimed Puss, Jr. "Why, you don't say so!"
"What do you know about Gingerbread Bridge?" asked the donkey.
"I crossed it once, and not so very long ago, either," replied Puss.
"Then you certainly don't want to take Gingerbread Road," replied the donkey, "so it is not hard to choose which way to go."