"COCKS crow in the morn
To tell us to rise,
And he who lies late
Will never be wise;
"For early to bed
And early to rise
Is the way to be healthy
And wealthy and wise."
"Well, I haven't been to bed at all," said Puss. "I was held up in the
forest."
"What!" exclaimed the innkeeper. "I had no idea there were robbers
about."
"There were no robbers, my good host," said Puss. "You would hardly
believe me if I were to relate what actually happened."
"Tell me," said the innkeeper, "while I fry the bacon."
So Puss explained how the fairies had made him captive, although he
feared that the good man would doubt the truth of the story. But,
instead, the innkeeper said:
[Illustration]
"'Tis not the first time, my good Sir Cat, that I have heard of
travelers being held up in yonder woods by the fairies. Indeed, they
take a mischievous pleasure in waylaying us mortals after sundown."
"Indeed!" said Puss. "Hereafter I shall take great pains to avoid the
forest after dark. I had a narrow escape."
Well, pretty soon the innkeeper placed the food upon the table and he
and Puss sat down to eat. But, oh, dear me! they had hardly commenced
when they heard a great commotion in the barnyard. Puss rushed to the
door just in time to see his Good Gray Horse gallop out of the stable
yard with more than a hundred fairies on his back, who drove sharp
little thorns into his sides and blew tiny horns in his ears.
"Whoa!" screamed Puss, rushing out-of-doors. The Good Gray Horse,
terrified by the cries of the fairies as well as excited by the stings
and blows, paid no attention to the voice of his small master, but
dashed out upon the highway, and in a few minutes disappeared down the
hill.
"What shall I do?" cried Puss, in dismay.