Run, run!" said the queen. "I am in a hurry to see this wonderful creature." The captain hurried to his vessel, and while he was gone another dinner was prepared. When he returned, the table was covered with rats. 5 As soon as the cat saw them, she jumped from the captain's arms, and in a few minutes killed many of the rats and mice. The rest fled to their holes in terror. IV The king and queen were delighted to get rid 10 of such a plague so easily, and wished to see the creature that had driven them away. The captain called, "Pussy, pussy, pussy," and she came running to him. He handed her to the queen, but she was at first afraid to touch 15 such a furry animal. However, when the captain stroked the cat and called, "Pussy, pussy," the queen also touched her and said, "Putty, putty," for she could not speak English. The captain then put the cat on the queen's 20 lap, where she purred and sang herself to sleep. The king wished to buy the cat at once. First he bought the whole of the ship's cargo; then he gave the captain ten times as much more for the cat. The captain took leave of the king and queen, and set sail the next day for England. One morning Mr. Fitzwarren had just seated himself at his desk, when somebody knocked at the door. "Who's there?" asked the merchant. "A friend," was the reply. "I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn." The merchant opened the door, and there stood the captain with a cabinet of jewels and a bill of lading. 5 10 He soon told Mr. Fitzwarren the story of the cat, and showed him a rich present which the 15 queen had sent to Dick. As soon as the merchant heard of this, he called to his servants: "Go bring him — we will tell him of his fame; Mr. Fitzwarren now proved himself to be a good and honest man; for when some of his servants said that so great a treasure was too much for Dick, he answered, "I would not deprive him of a single penny." He then sent for Dick, who was scouring kettles 5 for the cook and was very dirty. The merchant ordered a chair set for him, and Dick began to think they were making fun of him. "Do not play tricks with a poor simple boy like me," he said. "Please let me go back to my 10 work.' 15 "We are not joking, Mr. Whittington," said the merchant. "The captain has sold your cat to the king of a foreign land, and has brought you in return more riches than I possess in the world." Mr. Fitzwarren then told the man to open the box of jewels and display the treasure. Poor Dick was so happy that he did not know what to say. He begged his master to take a part of his wealth, since he owed it all to his 20 kindness. "It is all yours. "No, no," said the merchant. I have no doubt that you will use it well." Dick next asked his mistress, and then little Alice, to accept part of his treasure, but they would not do so. The lad was too kind-hearted, however, to keep it all for himself. He gave a present to the captain and sailors, and to each of Mr. Fitzwarren's 5 servants, not even forgetting the cross cook. After this, the merchant advised him to dress himself like a gentleman, and invited him to live in his house till he could provide one for himself. Years later, when Richard Whittington had 10 grown to be a man, and was very rich and generous, he was indeed made Lord Mayor of London. OLD ENGLISH TALE. HELPS TO STUDY 1. Tell about Dick's arrival in London. 2. How did he get his cat? 3. What venture did he make with the cat? 4. What did he hear the bells say? 5. Tell how it all came true. 6. Do you know any other story in which an animal brought good fortune to its owner? |