And now I want to tell you how it happens that these stars are called the Great Bear. If you look up in the sky some bright starlight night, you will see there a good many different figures, in stars; and a long time ago, people gave names to these figures. To one of them they gave the name of the Great Bear; to another, the Little Bear; to another, the Great Dog; and so on. These different star-figures are called constellations. They really look very little like the things they are named for: so I can't expect you to find them without help.
Now, it is very convenient to have the stars divided up in this way. When I asked you to find the red star last winter, it would have been a great help to you if I had told you what constellation it was in; but you might not have known what I meant by a constellation.
I had so many pleasant letters about that red star, I am going to ask you to write again when you find the Great Bear, although I suppose most of you are abed and asleep before he comes out for the night. He will appear earlier when the days are shorter, and I do not believe he can escape all your bright eyes. But I should advise you to ask some one who knows where he is to point him out to you.
M. E. R.
TEDDY'S KITTEN.
To let the kitten lie and sleep
Is something Teddy cannot do;
Like caterpillar in a heap,
She'd like to curl the whole day through,
If Teddy did but want her to.
I wonder if she understands,
How just the look of her soft fur
So tempts his little roguish hands
He cannot keep away from her:
He says he wants "to hear her purr!"
And, if he does, 'tis well enough;
But then, why does he rub the way
To make her silky coat look rough?—
That coat of shining silver-gray,
So washed and polished every day?
Why is it that he loves so much
To tickle the unconscious paws
With just a finger tip or touch,
Or open them to find the claws?
His reason for it is, "Because!"
When Teddy sometime wanted rest,
What if a giant came and sat
Beside him when he slept the best,
And rolled him this way, rubbed him that,
And teased him, as he does the cat?
Do you believe he'd smile and blink,
And bear the teasing patiently?
I think he'd wink a sleepy wink,
And say, not over pleasantly,
"O giant, please to let me be!"