The Fox and the Geese; and The Wonderful History of Henny-Penny | Page 2

all but
her bones.
Poor Ganderee's heart was ready to break When the sad news reached
her ear. "'T was that villain the Fox," said good Mr. Drake, Who lived

in a pond very near.
"Now listen to me, I pray you," he said, "And roof your new house with
some tiles, Or you, like your sisters, will soon be dead,-- A prey to your
enemy's wiles."
So she took the advice of her mother and friend, And made her house
very secure. Then she said,--"Now, whatever may be my end, The Fox
cannot catch me, I'm sure."
He called at her door the very next day, And loudly and long did he
knock; But she said to him,--"Leave my house, I pray, For the door I
will not unlock;
[Illustration]
"For you've killed my sisters, I know full well, And you wish that I too
were dead." "O dear!" said the Fox, "I can't really tell Who put such a
thought in your head:
"For I've always liked geese more than other birds, And you of your
race I've loved best." But the Goose ne'er heeded his flattering words,
So hungry he went to his rest.
Next week she beheld him again appear; "Let me in very quick," he
cried, "For the news I've to tell you'll be charmed to hear, And 'tis rude
to keep me outside."
But the Goose only opened one window-pane, And popped out her
pretty red bill; Said she, "Your fair words are all in vain, But talk to me
here, if you will."
"To-morrow," he cried, "there will be a fair, All the birds and the beasts
will go; So allow me, I pray, to escort you there, For you will be quite
charmed, I know."
"Many thanks for your news," said Ganderee, "But I had rather not go
with you; I care not for any gay sight to see,"-- So the window she

closed, and withdrew.
In the morning, howe'er, her mind she changed, And she thought she
would go to the fair; So her numerous feathers she nicely arranged,
And cleaned her red bill with much care.
She went, I believe, before it was light, For of Reynard she felt much
fear; So quickly she thought she would see each sight, And return ere
he should appear.
When the Goose arrived she began to laugh At the wondrous creatures
she saw; There were dancing bears, and a tall giraffe, And a beautiful
red macaw.
A monkey was weighing out apples and roots; An ostrich, too, sold by
retail; There were bees and butterflies tasting the fruits, And a pig
drinking out of a pail.
Ganderee went into an elephant's shop, And quickly she bought a new
churn; For, as it grew late, she feared to stop, As in safety she wished to
return.
Ere, however, she got about half the way, She saw approaching her foe;
And now she hissed with fear and dismay, For she knew not which way
to go.
[Illustration]
But at last of a capital plan she bethought, Of a place where she safely
might hide; She got into the churn that she just had bought, And then
fastened the lid inside.
The churn was placed on the brow of a hill, And with Ganderee's
weight down it rolled, Passing the Fox, who stood perfectly still, Quite
alarmed, though he was very bold.
For the Goose's wings flapped strangely about, And the noise was
fearful to hear; And so bruised she felt she was glad to get out, When

she thought that the coast was clear.
So safely she reached her own home at noon, And the Fox ne'er saw
her that day But after the fair he came very soon, And cried out, in a
terrible way,--
[Illustration]
"Quick, quick, let me in! oh, for once be kind, For the huntsman's horn
I hear; O, hide me in any snug place you can find, For the hunters and
hounds draw near!"
So the Goose looked out, in order to see Whether Reynard was only in
jest; Then, knowing that he in her power would be, She opened the
door to her guest.
"I'll hide you," she said, "in my nice new churn." "That will do very
well," said he; "And thank you for doing me this good turn, Most
friendly and kind Ganderee."
Then into the churn the Fox quickly got; But, ere the Goose put on the
top, A kettle she brought of water quite hot, And poured in every drop.
[Illustration]
Then the Fox cried out, "O! I burn, I burn! And I feel in a pitiful
plight;" But the Goose held fast the lid of the churn, So Reynard he
died that night.
* * * * *
MORAL.
Mankind have an enemy whom they well