And the old geese said to the seven young geese: “Whatever you do, be sure you do not touch a plum-pudding flea.”
And the old owls said: “If you find a mouse, tear him up into seven slices, and eat him cheerfully, but without quarreling.”
And the old guinea-pigs said: “Have a care that you eat your lettuces, should you find any, not greedily, but calmly.”
And the old cats said: “Be particularly careful not to meddle with a clangle-wangle if you should see one.”
And the old fishes said: “Above all things, avoid eating a blue boss-woss, for they do not agree with fishes, and give them a pain in their toes.”
So all the children of each family thanked their parents, and, making in all forty-nine polite bows, they went into the wide world.
CHAPTER V
THE HISTORY OF THE SEVEN YOUNG PARROTS
The seven young parrots had not gone far when they saw a tree with a single cherry on it, which the oldest parrot picked instantly; but the other six, being extremely hungry, tried to get it also. On which all the seven began to fight; and they
scuffled,
and huffled,