This being a game of mystery, it is, of course, necessary that it should
be unknown to, at any rate, a few of the company--the more the better.
One of the gentlemen well acquainted with the game undertakes to
represent Æsop. In order to do so more effectually, he may put a cushion
or pillow under his coat to imitate a hump, provide himself with a stick
for a crutch, make a false nose, and put a patch over one eye.
The rest of the company must then each assume the name of some subject
of the animal kingdom--a bird, beast, or fish--and having done this,
must prepare themselves to listen to the words of their great master.
Limping into their midst, Æsop then tells them that the wrath of the
great god Jupiter has been aroused, and as the cause of a calamity so
terrible must be that one or more of them have been committing some
crime or other, he is anxious to discover without further delay who are
the guilty subjects. "I shall therefore," continues he, "question you
closely all round, and I shall expect you every one to give me truthful
answers." He then fixes his mind upon a certain letter--for instance,
O--and begins, "Mr. Lion, as you are the king of beasts, I sincerely
hope you have done nothing derogatory to your high position; still, as
it is absolutely necessary that you should be examined with the rest of
your friends, will you please tell me what food you have eaten lately?"
Should the lion have eaten a lamb, a sheep, a tiger, a bear, or any
other dainty that is spelled without the letter O, he is acquitted as
innocent; but should he have eaten a leopard, a goose, a fox, or any
other creature in the name of which the letter O occurs, he is
pronounced by Æsop to be deserving of punishment, and is therefore
sentenced to pay a forfeit.
The other animals, in turn, then undergo a similar examination, during
which each one must remember that in naming his prey he must confine
himself to such food as is suited to the species he has himself adopted.
The game may be carried on for any length of time, or until all have
discovered the secret in it.
There is no fear of the interest flagging so long as even only one of
the company is still left unable to solve the mystery.
[Illustration: FUN AT RECESS--"LEAP-FROG."]