Fables in Rhyme for Little Folks

<h2><SPAN name="f14" id="f14"></SPAN><i>The Monkey And The Cat.</i></h2> <ANTIMG src="images/14,1.jpg" alt="14,1"><br/> <br/> Jocko the Monkey, Mouser--his chum, the Cat,<br/> Had the same master. Both were sleek and fat,<br/> And mischievous. If anything went wrong,<br/> The neighbors where not blamed. Be sure of <i>that.</i><br/> <br/> Jocko, 'tis said was something of a thief;<br/> Mouser, if truth be told, would just as lief<br/> Much stolen cheese as chase the midnight mouse.<br/> The praise bestowed on <i>either</i> must be brief.<br/> <br/> One day these rogues, stretched flat before the fire,<br/> Saw chestnuts roassting. "Ah! Could we conspire<br/> To jerk them out," said Jocko, "from the coals,<br/> We'd smash the shells and have our heart's desire.<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/14,2.jpg" alt="14,2"><br/> "Come, Brother Mouser! This day 'tis your turn<br/> To do some bold and desperate thing to earn<br/> A reputation. You, who are so quick,<br/> Snatch out the nuts before they start to burn.<br/> <br/> "Alas! That I, a Monkey, was not made<br/> To play with fire. But <i>you</i> are not afraid."<br/> So Mouser--pleased, like many a cat or man,<br/> With pretty words--sly Jocko's wish obeyed.<br/> <br/> Into the fire he put a practiced paw:<br/> Out came a chestnut clinging to his claw--<br/> Another and another. As they dropped<br/> Jocko devoured them, whether roast or raw.<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/14,3.jpg" alt="So Mouser--pleased--sly Joko's wish obeyed."><br/> A servant enters. Off the robbers run.<br/> Jocko, you may be sure, enjoyed the fun.<br/> But Mouser's paw is sadly singed--for what?<br/> Just to get nuts for Jocko. <i>He</i> got none.<br/> <ANTIMG src="images/14,4.jpg" alt="14,4"> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <hr class="narrow"> &nbsp; <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />