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Adventures
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Kindergarten Gems |
by Agnes Taylor Ketchum |
A full collection of stories and rhymes for the youngest listeners. In addition to the usual fairy tales, folk tales, and fables, there are numerous stories about animals, tales of everyday doings, and stories of the seasons. The material is conveniently arranged in groups, with several stories and rhymes for each holiday and season throughout the year. Numerous black and white illustrations complement the text. Ages 4-8 | 356 pages |
$13.95 |
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ADVENTURES
[45]
T was raining hard. The trees shook their heads and said
t each other: "Who would have thought of such weather
this morning!" The rain dripped from the trees onto the
bushes, from the bushes to the ferns, and then flowed
between the stones and moss in little brooklets. It had
commenced to rain in the afternoon, and now as it grew
dark a wise old toad glanced up at the sky and remarked
to his neighbor: "It will not stop raining before
morning." A little ant, who was taking a walk in the
forest, was of the same opinion. At every step she
sighed and lamented "My dress is ruined, and my new hat
also! If I only had an umbrella, or at least my
rubbers! I can't possibly walk any further in these
shoes!" While she was speaking she saw a large
toadstool at a little distance from her. She was
delighted, and cried out, "That just suits me! I surely
could not find better shelter anywhere. I will stay
here till it stops raining. It seems to me nobody lives
here; so much the better! I'll make myself at home."
She took off her shoes, and was just pouring the water
out of them, when she noticed a little cricket, with
her violin on her back, standing before her. "Listen,
little ant," the cricket began, "Am I allowed to
enter?"
"Please come in," the ant answered; "I am delighted to
have company."
"I played at a party," continued the cricket, "and was
delayed, and now it is raining so hard I cannot go
home, and would like to remain here the rest of the
night."
The cricket walked in, hung up her violin, and sat down
by the side of the ant. They had only been sitting
there a little while, when they noticed a light at a
distance. As it approached they saw that it was a
lightning-bug carrying his little lantern.
"I pray you," said the lightning-bug, politely, "let e
stay here tonight. I was going to visit some relatives,
but lost my way in the forest."
[46] "Come in; we are pleased to have you join us," said
both.
The lightning-bug accepted the invitation, stepped in,
placed his lantern on the table, and took a seat. The
light from the lantern shone so brightly that it
attracted a large black beetle, who was flying about,
looking for shelter. "Oh!" said he, "then I am not
mistaken; the light I see is from the hotel, and I am
on the road to it. How fortunate!" so without saying
good evening to anybody, he entered, sat down, took out
his knapsack, and began to eat his supper. "Yes, yes!"
cried he, "when one bores in wood all day, one gets an
appetite!" After his meal he took out his pipe, stuffed
it, and asked the lightning-bug if he might light it by
his lantern.
By the time it had grown very dark, and the rain came
down in torrents. To the surprise of all, another
unexpected guest arrived. For some time they had heard
a peculiar noise. It seemed to come nearer and nearer,
and at last a snail appeared under the toadstool, all
out of breath.
"I call that running," said she; "I ran like a
thousandleg! I have a pain in my side. I wish to remark
that I have a letter to deliver in the next town. But,
as you all know, I carry my house on my back, and soon
get tired; so if the company is willing I'll rest here
awhile; then I can gallop away as fast as a steam
engine." No one objected, so the snail came out of her
house, took up her knitting, and joined the company.
"Now," said the ant, "why are we all sitting here so
quietly, when we might be enjoying ourselves, and pass
time pleasantly? Some one ought to tell a story, and if
I only knew a real pretty one, I'd make the beginning.
Now I have a happy thought! I know something better! I
see the cricket has her violin with her. If she is not
too tired, I would beg her to play a lively tune, so we
can dance."
The ant's suggestion met with the approval of
everybody. The cricket did not wait to be coaxed, but
immediately took up her violin and played a pretty
waltz, which she knew by heart. They all danced except
the snail. "I am not used to turning around so quickly,
and get dizzy very easily. Never mind me; just dance as
much as you please; it gives me pleasure to watch you."
[48] There were very jolly, and sang so loud that you could
have heard them three steps away. But, alas! In what a
dreadful manner their dance was interrupted. Now the
toadstool under which they were dancing belonged to an
old toad. In pleasant weather she sat on the roof, as
toads sometimes do; but when it rained, she crept under
it for shelter. Early that afternoon the toad had gone
to visit her cousin, the bullfrog, and they had so much
to chat about she forgot to start home in time. So it
grew dark and very late before she reached her
toadstool. When near her house she heard music and
dancing, so she walked very quietly, not to disturb any
one, as she wanted to see who had taken the liberty of
going under her toadstool during her absence. She came
upon them so suddenly that they were almost frightened
to death. The beetle fell on his back, and it was fully
five minutes before he could get on his legs again. The
lightning-but was too much surprised to put out the
light. The cricket dropped her violin in the middle of
the dance, and the ant went from one fainting spell
into another, and even the snail, who is not easily
alarmed, got a stitch in her heart. She knew what to
do, however; she ran into her house, bolted the door,
and said: "Whatever happens, may happen; I'm not to be
seen!"
Imagine their surprise when the toad exclaimed, "I did
not wish to frighten you, but only to watch you dance,
and listen to the beautiful music. I am sorry that I
was not home to welcome you. Please, cricket, take up
your violin and continue, for you surely cannot think
of leaving before morning, as it is still raining."
The rest of the night was spent pleasantly. Early in
the morning the clouds began to scatter and the sun
shone out bright and clear. Then they all got ready to
continue their journey. They called to the snail
through they keyhole that the toad would not hurt her,
and that they would like her to come out, as they
wished to say goodbye. She came out, and they all
thanked the toad for her hospitality, and taking an
affectionate leave of each other departed for their
homes.
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