LESSON 29 ASK THE RABBIT

ASK THE RABBIT

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SILLY was so bewildered ［1］ that his poor foolish head could not understand it all, and he only winked and blinked till the lion lost patience, and, seizing him by the ear, off they went down the road to find a judge. Before they had gone far they met the very great grandpapa of all rabbits. He was remarkably old and gray, and looked as if he were surprisingly foolish, which was far from being the case, however, as you shall see.

Here, cried the lion; "here's a rabbit. He will make a very good breakf——I mean judge. Go ahead and ask him."

So Silly the donkey explained the affair to the rabbit, who sat up attentively and scratched his ear, looking more foolish than ever.

That is very hard to understand, he remarked when the donkey had finished. "Would you mind saying it over again? It isn't quite clear to me."

Well, Silly repeated the story at length, explaining it all very carefully.

Dear, dear, said the rabbit, "that is very curious. I do not quite understand yet how you came to be in the trap."

I wasn't in the trap, cried Silly. "It was the lion."

Oh—yes—the lion, replied the rabbit. "How stupid of me! But, really, I could understand it better, I know, if we went right to the place where it happened."

The lion was rather vexed ［2］ at the delay, but he could think of no reasonable excuse, so off the three went up the road, and presently they came to the trap again.

Now, said the rabbit, "if you will just say that all over from the beginning, I think I can understand it"; which Silly did, while the lion waited hungrily, wondering if he hadn't better eat his dinner and breakfast together.

Now I see! the rabbit cried. "The lion was walking down the road when he saw the trap—"

No, no! interrupted Silly. "I was walking down the road, and I saw the lion in the trap."

‘NO! STUPID THING,’ ROARED THE LION.

Oh, yes; of course, said the rabbit. "You were walking in the trap, and the lion saw—"

No, no, No! stupid thing! roared the lion.

Can't you understand anything?

Dear, dear, my poor brain! cried the rabbit. "I don't believe I shall ever understand it."

Yes, you shall, though, the lion growled, for he was very angry at such stupidity. "You shall understand it, I say. Now listen."

Yes, my lord lion, whimpered the rabbit.

I will try.

Now. I was in the trap when the donkey came down the road. Do you see that?

Yes, yes, cried the rabbit; "I think—but, please, I do not see quite about that trap. How did you get in?"

Why, through the door, idiot!

But, but—oh, dear me, my poor head! It is such a very small door. How could you get in?

Here, you foolish, stupid thing; I'll show you; and the lion marched into the trap. "Now, do you see, I'm in the trap."

THE LION MARCHED INTO THE TRAP.

Perfectly, replied the clever rabbit, as he quickly fastened the door; "and, what is more, I think you will stay there this time. Good-bye."

And the rabbit and Silly strolled off down the road just as merry as crickets ［3］ , leaving the wicked old lion to roar with rage till the villagers, finally hearing the noise, came out with ropes and poles and carried him off.

THE RABBIT AND SILLY STROLLED OFF.

—Adapted from JAMES D. BENEDICT

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［1 ］ bewildered: Puzzled; unable to decide how to act.

［2 ］ vexed: Annoyed, worried.

［3 ］ cricket: An insect which makes a creaking sound.