Stranica 84 [84]
OCR
LABOULAYE’S FAIRY BOOK butterfly was suffocated. Graceful vainly endeavored to recall him to life; then, bemoaning his fate, he fastened him with a pin to his hat like a cockade. Toward noon the grasshoppers stopped in turn. "Let us rest,” said they; "the heat will overpower us if we struggle against the noonday sun. It is so pleasant to live in sweet repose! Come, Graceful, we will divert you and you shall sing with us.” “Listen to them,” said Pensive; "they sing so sweetly!”’ But Fido would not stop; his blood seemed on fire, and he barked so furiously that Graceful forgot the grasshoppers to follow his importunate companion. At evening Graceful met the honey-bee loaded with booty. “Where are you going?" said he. “T am returning home,” said the bee; “I shall not quit my hive.” “What!” rejoined Graceful; “‘industrious as you are, will you do like the grasshoppers and renounce your share In immortality?” ‘Your castle is too far off,’ returned the bee. "I have not your ambition. My daily labor suffices for me; I care nothing for your travels; to me work 1s life.” Graceful was a little moved at losing so many of his fellow-travelers on the first day; but when he thought with what ease he had accomplished the first day’s journey his heart was filled with joy. He caressed Fido, caught 58
