II The Miller and his son lead the donkey between them. They meet an old woman hobbling along on her cane. Son. Here comes my grand dame, father. (Both doff their caps.) Old Woman. Where art thou going, son-inlaw? Miller. To the fair. Old Woman. Walking to the fair with that poor child? Thou wilt kill him! (Shakes her cane at him.) Miller. Up, son! The donkey shall carry thee. (The son seats himself on the donkey.) Old Woman. Now, that is better! Thou must be more kind to thy motherless boy! Miller. I thank thee! I thank thee, good dame! eye. Thou knowest my son is the apple of my Old Woman. Ay, ay, son-in-law. Thou art a kind man and father. Good luck to thee! (Hob-. bles on.) III Miller. A good woman! I'm glad she spoke. I would not have her say I was unkind to thee. (They go on.) Son. Thou art the best father in the world! Thou art not unkind! Miller. Son. Who comes in the cart? 'Tis the schoolmaster. (The schoolmaster Miller and son touch their caps.) stops his cart. Schoolmaster. Hast thou no respect for thy father? Miller. Put the blame on his grand dame. She thought it would kill the boy to walk to the fair. Schoolmaster. Dost thee not know that a grand dame always spoils the grandchild? Thee must train him to respect his elders. Thee should ride. Miller. That is true! I thank thee for thy advice. Son, it looks not well. Thee must get down. (Miller mounts the donkey.) thee did, Son. I am glad thee spoke as thee schoolmaster. It is much better that I walk than that my father should. Schoolmaster. Well said, my boy. Good day! (Drives on.) IV Miller. The schoolmaster is right. Thy grand dame loves thee too dearly. Son. Here come two women from the fair. (Two old women with heavy bundles come along. They talk earnestly.) Miller. What are they saying? Son. I know not. They are pointing at us. Miller. Let us listen. First Old Woman. Speak to the lazy man. (Stops the donkey.) Just what I was thinking! Second Old Woman. Why do make your poor little boy walk? keep up with you. you ride and He can hardly Miller. Then he, too, shall ride. Up, son, in front of me. (The son climbs on the donkey's back.) First Old Woman. Now, child, do thou stay there! Second Old Woman. What selfish brutes men are! ( (They walk on with their bundles.) V Miller. The donkey will sell all the better for this. fair. Son. He'll be too tired to play any tricks at the (They ride on.) Father, a man is running after us. Miller. Whoa! Whoa! (Man runs up.) Good day, sir! What can I do for thee? Man. Is that beast yours? Miller. Oh, yes! Man. One would never think so by the way you load him. Why, you two are better able to carry him than he you. You are only fit for the jail. Miller. We will please thee if we can. (They dismount.) How can we carry him? Man. Easy enough. Tie his hind legs and carry him on a pole. (He goes on.) Son. See, father, here is a strong pole by the bridge. Miller. That is just the thing! It is well we brought the halter with the long rope. (Cuts it.) Tie him loosely. (Leads the donkey to the bridge, where the son ties his legs together.) Son. Now, that is done! We must be quick when we turn him over. Miller. Ready—one-two-(The donkey kicks the ropes off, jumps into the stream and is drowned.) Both. What shall we do! Miller. That's what one gets by trying to please everybody! THE CRICKET AND THE ANT A silly young Cricket, accustomed to sing Through the warm, sunny months of gay summer and spring, Began to complain, when he found that at home On the snow-covered ground; Not a leaf on the tree. "Oh, what will become "says the Cricket"of me?" At last, by despair and by famine made bold, To see if, to keep him alive, he would grant |