Then there was the gander that swam in the pond at a little distance from the cottage. He kept up a constant Qua-a-ak, qua-a-k!" from morning to night. I must not forget the owl, which hung in a wicker cage by the side of the cottage window. All day long would he sit upon his perch, with his head huddled into his shoulders, defect. Besides, his earnest work not only gave him health and strength, but also spread such a smile of satisfaction over his face as made him look far handsomer than half the other boys in the neighbourhood. And thus thought Mother Goose herself, who doted upon her son Jack. Old Mother Goose's highcrowned hat was almost as tall as a chimney-pot, and I am certain the stick which helped her to hobble about was twice as long. A poppy was not redder than her gown, and the high heels of her shoes; while her apron and kerchief were equal to the snowdrop for whiteness. But looking very tired and sleepy, and cold and unhappy. at night he was sharp enough, and then his eyes were quicker than you would ever believe if you had only seen him by day. Old Mother Goose was quite aware of this, and trusted in her owl as a very good watchman during the night. "Qua-a-k!" went the gander; and "Whit-tu-whoo, Tu-whit-tu-whoo!" cried the owl; Jack sprinkled the flower-beds, cropped the grass, and planted the potatoes; and old Mother Goose, all the while, hobbled about with her long stick and her spring shoes with the high red heels. So you see they all formed together a very happy family. But what a fine strong fellow was the gander! what a large yellow beak he had! And as for wings, there never was a gander that had so grand a pair! Whenever old Mother Goose wanted to take a journey, she had only to tap, tap, with her stick at the edge of the pond, and straightway would Mister Gander swim up to her! Then she would mount upon his broad, strong back, and away, away would he fly, and carry her swiftly to any distance. I know well enough it is not a common thing for a gander to fly through the air, and carry an old lady on his back; but you must not forget that this gander was the most wonderful gander that was ever seen! Now, old Mother Goose thought her gander often looked sad and lonely as he swam about in his pond. So, one day, she called her son Jack to her, and told him to dress himself in his best jacket and collar, and to put on his fine new hat. "My son Jack," she said to him, "I want you to leave the garden and the flowers for a day: you must go to market, and buy me the finest, the whitest, and the most yellowbeaked goose you can see. The owl and I will mind the cottage. Make haste, my dear son, for I shall not be happy till I see the goose swimming in the pond!" Upon this, Jack set out on his journey to market. It was early morning when he started, and his way lay through a wood. Jack felt very happy as he wandered along; and as for fearing robbers, or any other bad men who might attack him, why, Jack laughed at the very thought. I must tell you that old Mother Goose-who never forgot anything, so prudent and careful was she-had armed Jack with her great clothes-prop. Throwing this weapon over his shoulder, Jack trudged along like a man-like a general at the head of an army, in fact. The green trees, the flowing silver stream, and the songs of the birds in the fresh morning air, caused Jack's spirits to rise, till he became more joyful than he had ever before been in his life. And in his happiness he began to loiter, and to stroll out of the road. He left the road, and plunged into the thick of the beautiful trees which grew along its edge, now and then taking great leaps across ditches by means of his clothes-prop. He came down flat upon his back, though, once or twice. but he did not care for this; |