Stranica 176 [176]
LABOULAY Es: FAIRY. BOOK
himself in the brook. If one of his brothers ran against
him by accident, he abused him, called him envious and
jealous, and risked his only remaining eye in battle; if the
hens clucked on seeing him, he said it was to hide their
spite because he did not condescend to look at them.
One day, when he was more puffed up with vanity than
usual, he resolved no longer to remain in such a narrow
sphere, but to go out into the world, where he would be
better appreciated.
My lady mother,” said he, “I am tired of Spain; I am
going to Rome to see the pope and cardinals.”
“What are you thinking of, my poor child!" cried his
mother. "Who has put such a folly into your head?
Never has one of our family been known to quit his country,
and for this reason we are the honor of our race, and are
proud of our genealogy. Where will you find a poultry¬
yard like this—mulberry-trees to shade you, a whitewashed
henroost, a magnificent dunghill, worms and corn every¬
where, brothers that love you, and three great dogs to guard
you from the foxes? Do you not think that at Rome itself
you will regret the ease and plenty of such a lifer”
Coquerico shrugged his crippled wing in token of disdain.
“Vou are a simple woman, my good mother,” said he;
“everything is accounted worthy of admiration by him
who has never quitted his dunghill. But I have wit
enough to see that my brothers have no ideas and that my
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