WHAT THE GARBAGE CAN TOLD ROBERT
I
One day as Robert was going through the kitchen, he heard his mother talking to the maid. “Nora,” she said, “I wish that you would be careful to keep the garbage can covered.” Robert hurried away to school and thought no more about it.
That night, after he fell asleep, he dreamed that he was visiting at his cousin’s house. He thought that he was going down the back steps when suddenly he heard a weak little voice.
“Oh, dear,” it was saying, “I feel so wretched! Oh, dear! can you get a doctor, please?”
Robert looked around, but there was nothing in sight.
“Oh, dear, oh, dear!” came the weak little voice again. “Oh, can’t somebody help me!”
“Why, who’s talking?” asked Robert. “I don’t see anybody. I’d like to help you, if I knew who you were.”
“It’s I—Garbage Can,” answered the voice. “Here I am—look down, please.”
Robert looked down, and there sure enough stood the garbage can, which he had failed to notice, looking up at him. You can imagine how surprised he was.